Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Oyo State, Michael Okunlade, has said that the lawmakers who are opposed to the leadership style of the speaker of the state assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, made a mistake by briefing the governor before questioning him.
Okunlade, who was majority of the assembly between 2007 and 2011 when he represented Orelope state constituency, explained that “when a leader acts as an errand boy for the governor, they may forget their role is to be first among equals.”
He was reacting to moves by Ogundoyin to suspend 11 members who are angry with him.
According to Okunlade in a statement made available to OYOINSIGHT.COM, “the suspension of any house member by a speaker in the name of the speakership is purely legislative misconduct and excessive. Neither the house rules nor the constitution empower the speaker to make such a reckless decision.
“Any house member has the right to question the leadership for misconduct, and it is equally unparliamentary to write a petition to the governor before taking a lawful action.
“However, I maintain that it is purely legislative rascality to suspend any member of the house; it is like denying the representation of a constituency,” Okunlade said.
