…urges Assembly members to place State interest over party, selfish considerations
The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated its member, Hon. Jimoh Abdulraheem Agboola on his inauguration as member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, representing Ilorin South State constituency.
In a statement by its State Chairman, Hon. Kola Shittu, the party lauded Agboola for displaying maturity, patience and endurance, even in the face of impunity and provocation from the Speaker of the Assembly, Yakubu Danladi, who blatantly refused to obey multiple court orders in the last 14 months.
Shittu who described the Speaker as an unprincipled man and a serial law breaker, said he should be ashamed of himself that it took a threat from the Court to jail him, before he finally admitted to swear in Agboola.
He added that “The naive Speaker allowed himself to be used by some anti-democratic forces and narrow-minded politicians who have no regard for the rule of law. By his action, Danladi had set a bad precedent and history will be unkind to his likes.
“Our party appreciate the good people of Ilorin South, Kwarans, civil society and the media, who expressed concern over the Speaker’s refusal to obey court order and stood by Agboola to combat anti-democratic elements within Kwara APC who were desperate to subvert the rule of law and the will of the people.”
The Kwara PDP also demanded that the sacked lawmaker, Azeez Elewu Oluwanilo of the APC, should return all the salaries and allowances he had earned since he has been occupying the seat, stressing that he was an illegal occupant, as declared by the Court.
Speaking further, the party said it was convinced that Agboola would by the virtue of his capacity and experience, deliver quality and impactful representation to the people of his constituency.
Shittu urged Agboola to always prioritise the welfare of his constituents and the interest of Kwarans, and should push for a strong and independent legislature that will not subject itself to the whims and caprices of the executive arm.
“Additionally, we urge the Speaker and other members of the House to note that their allegiance is to Kwarans and not the Governor. They must therefore place the interest of the State above their political and selfish consideration. You must work only to cater to the interest and aspirations of Kwarans and not turn yourselves to slaves of the executive.
“It is in this regard we ask the House to reconsider its stance on the proposed N35billion loan by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, which has been rejected by well-meaning Kwarans. As we have earlier pointed out, the N35b loan, if obtained, would plunge Kwara into unbearable debt burden and critically affect its capacity to meet future obligations.”
