Ex-IPAC chairman seeks resignation of Osun Deputy Speaker over law violation

A former chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Osun State has called for the resignation of the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Oyewusi Akinyode Abidemi.

The call comes following disclosure that Raregeode Company Ltd, a company owned by the Deputy Speaker, had been awarded a contract for the construction of “44-span bridge across Osun River and dual 2-span bridge across Erinle river,” at a financial cost of N3,937,072,827.00.

The former IPAC chairman, Mr Wale Adebayo, said in a signed statement that the CCB act is clear and unambiguous on such matters.

The law says “a public officer shall not engage in or participate in the management or running of any private business.”

Adebayo stated that he was deeply troubled by revelations regarding the Deputy Speaker alleged involvement in operating a company, against the Code of Conduct for Public Officers”

He said “there’s no doubt that he used his influence as Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly to ensure the contract was awarded to a firm he has interest in.

“The Deputy Speaker has breached one of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and not fit to continue to hold that office. This amounts to a gross violation of public service rules involving contract influencing”

“He can only deceive the gullible ones with his rhetoric. The truth is, he used his office to secure a project for Raregeode Company Ltd which he founded.

Adebayo said Abidemi’s action was a breach of section five of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, which deals with the conflict of interest.

The section emphasises that a public official shall not put himself in a position where his interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities.

Adebayo who is a chieftain of the Allied People’s Movement added that Governor Ademola Adeleke should be blamed for awarding contract to cronies and associates, without recourse to extant rules.

“Was due diligence carried out in the award of the contract. There were reports that he awarded contract to an unregistered company”

“During his campaign, he said he was bringing dollars to rejig the economy of the state. Despite receiving a whopping sum of over N147 billion from the federation account till date, the development on ground doesn’t commensurate with the figures.

“He has failed to make the desired impact in the state. His appointments and the little contract he awarded are skewed and lopsided on basis of nepotism,” he added