Makinde impeachment rumours stir tension in Oyo 

Political tension has heightened in Oyo State following allegations of a plot to impeach Governor Seyi Makinde, with key stakeholders moving swiftly to deny the claims and calm public anxiety.

The crisis took a new turn after the Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Gbenga Oyekola, publicly distanced himself from what he described as attempts to create a rift between the legislature and the executive arm of government.

Speaking after a high-level meeting held at the Governor’s Lodge, Oyekola reaffirmed his loyalty to Governor Makinde and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warning that “agents of disunity” were working behind the scenes to destabilise the state’s political structure.

He disclosed that the Speaker of the House, Adebo Ogundoyin, had briefed lawmakers on a series of private political approaches. According to him, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, allegedly offered the Speaker an All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives ticket along with campaign support, an offer said to have been declined.

Oyekola further revealed that the Speaker also reported a separate engagement with former Oyo State First Lady, Florence Ajimobi, over similar political overtures, which he likewise rejected.

Maintaining his distance from the developments, Oyekola insisted he was never part of such discussions, stressing his commitment to peace and the stability of the current administration.

However, the Olubadan has firmly dismissed the allegations. In a statement issued by his media aide, Adeola Oloko, Oba Ladoja described the impeachment claims as “baseless lies,” noting that a traditional ruler has no constitutional authority to remove an elected governor or even a local government chairman.

The palace also expressed concern over conflicting narratives, pointing to remarks made a day earlier by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who had alleged a counter-plot by the state government against the monarch.

Amid the swirling claims, Speaker Ogundoyin has also denied reports that he received financial inducement from APC-linked interests to facilitate any impeachment move. He described the allegation as false and politically motivated.

While acknowledging that he was approached with offers, the Speaker maintained that he rejected them outright, insisting that no amount of money could sway his loyalty to the governor, the PDP, or the people of the state.

He reiterated that the Assembly under his leadership remains committed to constitutional governance and has maintained a cooperative relationship with the executive arm.

Addressing claims surrounding his visit to the Olubadan, Ogundoyin clarified that the meeting was purely traditional and consultative, aimed at informing the monarch of his governorship ambition and seeking royal blessings.

He urged residents of the state to disregard what he described as deliberate attempts to sow discord within Oyo’s political leadership, as efforts continue to douse tensions in the state.