Ex-lawmakers seek IGP’s protection for Assembly member
The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, organised a peaceful protest over the alleged victimisation of one of its lawmakers, Ibraheem Shittu, who raised a N300b loan alarm.
The protest, which started at the APC secretariat in the Oke-Ado area of Ibadan, had in attendance the state’s chairman of the party, Olayide Abas, and other members.
Shittu, who represents Saki-West State Constituency, had raised the alarm a few days ago that the House had approved a N300 billion loan for Governor Seyi Makinde.
The APC, which noted that Shittu had been receiving threat messages as a result of the alarm he raised, said that it organised the rally to ensure that nothing happens to the lawmaker.
Also, Abas, while addressing journalists, noted that the protest was organised to show love to the lawmaker and ensure that he is protected, adding that the party is solidly behind the alleged victimised lawmaker.
“We are here to show our support to him for taking the bold step to stand against the loan. We are behind him.
“We are here to tell the governor that he should not send Oyo State to a perpetual loan collector. We are not satisfied with what is happening. What has the governor done with the previous loans?
“I have the protest letter here. He should not be victimised. The process to take over Oyo State has started,” he said.
Meanwhile, former lawmakers in Oyo State, under the aegis of Oyo State Progressives Former Parliamentarians, have called on the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to protect Shittu.
They alleged that some disgruntled politicians were unhappy with Shittu for exposing the purported N300 billion loan approval by the Assembly for Makinde.
The Forum’s Chairman, Ibrahim Bolomope, during an emergency meeting held, at the weekend in Ibadan, said they were compelled to intervene because of concerns about the implications of the loan on the people of Oyo State, and the safety of their colleague.
They said that despite the increased federal allocations under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Makinde had continued to rely heavily on loans since 2019, with little visible impact on infrastructure and the welfare of citizens.
Bolomope said: “We members of Oyo State Progressives Former Parliamentarians, consisting of former members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, have met and deliberated upon the revelation made by Shittu Ibrahim from Saki West State Constituency.
“We looked into the facts of the matter, its merit and demerit, and we come to the conclusion that we have to applaud Shittu for representing the state very well, and not just his own constituency.
“As former lawmakers, we know that the House of Assembly could approve loans for the Executive, but when they are doing that, they must follow the rules of the game.”
