EKITI State House of Assembly has been
hit by crisis following the removal of the member representing Ikole
Constituency 1, Gboyega Aribisogan, as Information Committee chairman.
Aribisogan’s sack and his replacement
with the member representing Oye Constituency 1, Samuel Omotoso, is
believed to be a prelude to his recall from the Assembly.
The embattled lawmaker was accused of
holding secret meetings with Senator Buruji Kashamu, Lagos lawyer Femi
Falana and other personalities perceived to be enemies of Governor Ayo
Fayose.
Aribisogan appeared before the House
Committee on Ethics and Privileges, chaired by member representing
Ido/Osi Constituency 2, Samuel Jeje, where a purported audio file
capturing his (Aribisogan’s) voice was played.
But Aribisogan described the audio tape,
which was played at the panel sitting to indict him, as “a superimposed
voice-over to tarnish his reputation”.
According to him, his predicament was orchestrated by mischief-makers in the Assembly.
Speaking with reporters in a telephone
chat yesterday after appearing before the panel, Aribisogan explained
that he was quizzed about Kashamu and Falana before the controversial
audio was played to him.
Affirming his loyalty to Fayose and the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the lawmaker said he had no confidence
in the panel because it had found him guilty before its report.
He said: “The so-called audio was a
superimposed voiceover to tarnish my reputation. At the panel’s sitting,
there was a presentation of inaudible voiceover claiming that they
recognised my voice and I discarded it as a cheap blackmail.
“They asked me in the course of the
investigation whether I have met Buruji and I told them that the last
time I met with Buruji was when I followed Mr. Governor, and Omotoso was
there too. But it is unfortunate that he (Omotoso) wanted to make a
political gain out of this saga.
“Since then, I have not met Buruji as a
person either secretly or openly. I have no confidence in the panel but
because of the constitutional provision, I have to attend the panel to
clear my name.
“I appeared before the panel to tell
them that I never met with Buruju and I never met with Falana as
alleged. I am part and parcel of this government from inception and I
remain a loyal party member.
“Changing committee chairmen is a
routine exercise but I suspect a foul play that the outcome of the panel
is already predetermined.”
When asked whether he had been invited
by the governor on the crisis, Aribisogan said: “This is clearly an
Assembly matter; the governor has not invited me but I am expecting
members of the panel to investigate where the shenanigans are coming
from.
“The whole saga is an immolation to
destroy me and put me in a political quagmire. Look at my pedigree where
I am coming from before passing judgement on me.
“Having served the government, is it
possible for me to be holding meetings with Buruji and Falana and work
against a government of which I am part of?
“I want to challenge the person who
claimed to have recorded my voice to be bold enough to face me. The plot
was executed by one man in the House to bring me down.”
The House at its plenary on Tuesday set
up the panel to probe Aribisogan for allegations of disloyalty with the
Speaker, Kola Oluwawole, likening him to the biblical Judas, who
betrayed Jesus Christ.
Oluwawole said: “It touches the
fundamental existence of this House. I still believe that this House is
indivisible. We are ever united and strong. Every member of this House
has the spirit of oneness in discharging his/her duties.
“When I got this embarrassing news, I was highly disappointed.
“I have absolute confidence in every
member of this House. Despite the fact that Judas in the Bible betrayed
Jesus, His ministry on earth was achieved.”
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