Chairman and members of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) have kicked against plan by the Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde to reconstitute the board of the Commission.
They described the action as unfortunate and a deliberate violation of the rule of law considering that action has been filed at the Industrial Court on the matter.
Speaking through their Chairman, Hon Jide Ajeigbe, the commission members averred that it is inhumane on the part of government and its agents to be peddling rumours that all their salaries and entitlement have been paid, noting that up till present moment a dime has not been given to any member of the commission.
According to Ajeigbe, “Ordinarily we would not have reacted to this issue because it is still pending at the law court but to put the record straight, that we have not collected any money as being spread by government agents, who are rumour mongers.”
It could be recalled that governor Seyi Makinde had dissolved the board of the OYSIEC with a promise to pay their salaries and allowances till the end of their tenure.
The dissolution letter dated July 1st, and addressed to the chairman of the Board stated that the governor is aware that the tenure of the members has not expired but that the government is ready to offset all the salaries and entitlements of the members for the remaining period of the tenure.
The dissolution was contained in a letter signed by the state’s head of Service, Alhaja A.O. Agboola, in Ibadan.
The letter entitled, “Dissolution of Board of Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission” reads: “I wish to refer to the above subject and inform you that His Excellency, Engr Seyi Makinde, has approved the dissolution of the board of Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission with effect from July 1st, 2019.
“While noting the fact that your tenure has not expired, the state government is ready to offset all salaries and allowances payable to you till the end of your tenure.
“His Excellency wishes you the best in your future endeavours. Kindly hand over the property of the state in your care to the most senior director in your commission”, part of the statement reads.
It would be recalled that the OYSIEC board, headed by Mr Olajide Ajeigbe, a retired Deputy Director of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was inaugurated on June 17th 2016 by former governor Abiola Ajimobi.
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