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•I was offered, rejected monetary inducement – Speaker
From Oluseye Ojo and Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
Political tension in Oyo State deepened yesterday as fresh allegations and counterclaims continued to trail an unfolding impeachment saga involving Governor Seyi Makinde, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin and others.
The controversy began after former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, alleged that Governor Makinde was plotting to remove Olubadan. Both Makinde and Ladoja swiftly dismissed the claim, describing it as baseless and unfounded.
Former Oyo State First Lady, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi and Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Gbenga Oyekola, have also denied any involvement in an alleged plot to impeach Governor Makinde as political tensions continue to simmer in the state.
Olubadan, Mrs. Ajimobi and Oyekola, in separate statements, distanced themselves from the rumoured move, insisting they neither initiated nor had knowledge of any plan to remove the governor from office.
But the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, in a statement said he rejected inducement to lead impeachment against the governor.
“I was offered monetary inducement, but I declined without hesitation because no amount of money can buy my conscience or compromise my loyalty to the Governor, the party, and the people we were elected to serve.
“I remain fully committed to upholding the integrity of this House and will not be part of any agenda aimed at destabilising the government,” Ogundoyin stated.
Speaking through his media aide, Adeola Oloko, the Olubadan declared unequivocally that he was unaware of any impeachment agenda,
He dismissed attempts to link his name to the alleged plot as baseless and misleading.
Mrs. Ajimobi, widow of former governor Abiola Ajimobi, also moved swiftly to clear the air, dissociating herself from the purported scheme.
According to the statement, “at no time did Ambassador Ajimobi convene, attend, or participate in any such meeting with any individual or group for the purpose of discussing impeachment or destabilizing the Oyo State Government.”
She maintained that the attempt to link her name to the allegations was a malicious, political propaganda aimed at bringing her into disrepute, particularly among the people of Oyo State and beyond .
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“Activities of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State are of no concern to me. Linking me to such a plot could only be borne out of mischief and deliberate reverse propaganda to malign my reputation”.
In the same vein, Oyekola, representing Atiba State Constituency, denied any involvement, stating that he was neither aware of nor participating in any impeachment plan.
His response came amid heightened scrutiny of lawmakers, given that impeachment proceedings constitutionally require legislative backing.
Unverified reports also stated that there were moves to impeach the Speaker of the State Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, to pave ways for the deputy speaker, Mohammed Fadeyi, and Gbenga Oyekola to become speaker and deputy speaker respectively.
The coordinated denials came against the backdrop of renewed political rumblings in Oyo State, where unverified reports of an impeachment plot have sparked public debate and heightened anxiety within political circles.
Although no formal process has been initiated at the House of Assembly, rumours have continued to gain traction, prompting key figures to publicly clarify their positions.
It was gathered that the latest development echoed an earlier controversy involving claims that Governor Makinde was plotting to dethrone Oba Ladoja as the Olubadan of Ibadanland. But the claim was widely dismissed by the state government and prominent stakeholders.
That allegation, which stirred outrage across Ibadanland, was strongly refuted by Governor Makinde and the Olubadan himself, both of whom described it as a fabrication aimed at creating discord between the government and the traditional institution.
The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) had also weighed in at the time, condemning the claim and warning against attempts to destabilise the peace of the ancient city.
Observers have however, noted a striking pattern between the two controversies, both built on unverified claims and both drawing in high-profile personalities, whose names were allegedly used without substantiation.
Political analysts suggested that such recurring narratives might be part of a broader strategy to stoke tension and test the stability of the state’s political environment.
Insiders within the Assembly have also downplayed the speculation, describing it as premature and lacking any procedural basis.
