Progressive ex-parliamentarians in Oyo State have urged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and other security agencies to urgently protect Hon. Ibrahim Shittu, the lawmaker representing Saki West Constituency, after he exposed Governor Seyi Makinde’s alleged ₦300bn loan approval by only 13 members of the House of Assembly.
The former lawmakers, under the aegis of Oyo State Progressives ex-Parliamentarians, raised the alarm after an emergency meeting held in Ibadan, warning that Shittu’s life might be in danger from “disgruntled politicians” angry at his disclosure.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the chairman of the forum, Hon. Ibrahim Bolomope, said members were compelled to intervene because of the grave implications for governance in the state and the safety of the lawmaker.
“As former lawmakers, we know that while the House can approve loans for the executive, such approvals must follow the rules. For fiscal matters, the Constitution is clear on the requirement of a two-thirds majority or at least a simple majority. What happened in this case does not satisfy those requirements,” Bolomope said.
He described Shittu’s revelation as an act of courage, insisting that he acted not just for his constituency but for the entire state.
The forum accused Makinde’s administration of piling up debts despite rising allocations to states under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. According to them, Oyo State has taken multiple loans in recent years: ₦100bn in 2020, ₦50bn between 2021 and 2022, and ₦150bn in 2023, with the latest ₦300bn plan now causing public uproar.
They argued that with almost a 500 per cent increase in federal allocations, there was no justification for Oyo to keep borrowing.
The group cited Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State as an example, noting that higher allocations enabled him to clear inherited debts and raise workers’ minimum wage to ₦104,000.
The ex-lawmakers alleged that there were underground plans to suspend Shittu from the assembly and stop his salaries and allowances as punishment for going public.
“We want to warn the House to jettison such a plan to avoid violence that may follow,” the group warned.
They insisted that security agencies must rise to the occasion by protecting Shittu and others who share his position, saying this would encourage more Nigerians to expose corruption and maladministration.
“In our environment, the truth is often punished. Anybody who says the truth is prone to danger. That is why we are calling on the IGP and other security agencies to give adequate protection to Hon. Shittu,” Bolomope added.
The forum commended Shittu for being “a courageous parliamentarian” and praised him for offering good representation to his people.
Those present at the meeting included the forum’s secretary, Hon. Sikiru Akintola Alli; PRO, Hon. John Olaleru; former Speakers Hon. Olagunju Ojo and Hon. Asimiyu Alarape; Hon. Mogaji Adigun Ahmed Murphy; Hon. Elder Adegboyega Mathew Abioye; Hon. Fatai Salaam; Hon. Afeez Adeleke; Hon. D.A. Lawal; Hon. Dr. Mathew Oyedokun; Hon. Hazmat Ogunsola (a Third Republic member); Hon. Mrs. Ramata Okemakinde, among others.
