Soyinkas, Bakare slammed over Ogun Assembly crisis
By Dapo Akinrefon
ABEOKUTA—CHAIRMAN of Ikenne Local Government Area in Ogun State, Otunba Tiwalade Sobo and a member of the crisis ridden Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Omosanya Sholaja, have berated Professor Wole Soyinka and Pastor Tunde Bakare, for allegedly taking sides in the crisis House, just as they maintained that what the group of lawmakers, G11, did was legal and constitutional.
They called on the group of 15 lawmakers to seek redress in the law court if they felt aggrieved, noting that “the court is the final arbiter in lawful matters.”
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Chairman of the council, Mr Sobo argued that though the Save Nigeria Group, led by Pastor Bakare and Professor Soyinka, were entitled to their opinion on any matter, they should advise the G15 members to seek redress in the court.
He said “rather than dabble into matters that are purely justifiable and constitutional in nature, through their so-called ultimatum, they should rather follow the path of honour by advising them (G15 members) to seek redress in the law court.
I have the onerous duty to put the records straight on the issue of the minority (G11) displacing the majority (G15) in the House of Assembly.”
It would interest you to note that the action of G11 is very valid, moreso because it is backed by both the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 and the House of Assembly Standing Order. Constitutionally, SNG and Professor Wole Soyinka are entitled to their opinion on any matter whatsoever.”
The onus is however on them not to be partisan in this matter in order not to jeopardize the well being of our people in the state. To say the least, the comments of the SNG and Prof Soyinka fell below expectation of those interested in rule of law and peace of our state.”
Lending his voice, a member of the House of Assembly, Mr Sholaja, said as far as the G11 was concerned, they were ready to reconcile for the progress of the state, but argued that the G15 were far from ready for any peace talks.
“The G11 is always ready for reconciliation but the G15 is not ready for any form of reconciliation. They are adamant and one would wonder what they mean. As far as reconciliation is concerned, we are always ready,” he said.
