APC alleges plot to intimidate Oyo lawmaker over ₦300bn loan controversy

By Adejayan Gbenga –

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has accused loyalists of Governor Seyi Makinde of plotting to intimidate and victimize Hon. Ibrahim Shittu, the lawmaker representing Saki West Constituency in the State House of Assembly.

The allegation comes as the Assembly is set to resume plenary on Tuesday after a six-week recess.

Shittu, an APC lawmaker, had recently dissociated himself from the Assembly’s approval of a ₦300 billion loan request by Governor Makinde. The request, which was reportedly addressed to Speaker Debo Ogundoyin, was allegedly approved by only 13 out of the 32 lawmakers.

In a statement released on Monday in Ibadan, the APC’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, alleged that individuals close to the governor were orchestrating plans to silence Shittu and other opposition lawmakers.

“We have uncovered several plans by some individuals close to Governor Makinde to get back at a member of the State Assembly on the assumption that he blew the whistle over the latest ₦300 billion loan. The truth is that the lawmaker only responded to an inquiry by his party,” Sadare stated.

The APC further claimed that loyalists of the governor intend to mobilize thugs to the Assembly complex on Tuesday to physically harass Shittu and his colleagues. It also alleged that the leadership of the House was preparing to accuse Shittu of breaching Assembly rules in order to subject him to a disciplinary panel and secure his indefinite suspension.

“These satanic plans and many more are being sponsored by unscrupulous elements around the governor who have profited from various sharp practices since 2019,” the statement read.

The opposition party called on security agencies to protect the rights and safety of Shittu and urged stakeholders to prevail on Governor Makinde to halt what it described as “desperate attempts to stifle the opposition.”