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Exclusive : Bench Warming At Oyo Assembly [SEE LIST]
OYO State House of Assembly is a lawmaking body in the state, and vested with the powers to check the excesses of the executive and other arms of government to ensure peace, order and good governance in the state, in respect to matters not in the exclusive legislative list, but in concurrent list. It could also legislate on other matters in which it is empowered by the Constitution to do so.
Similarly, it plays a representative function based on constituency arrangement for effective representation of the populace.
Each member therefore represents a section of the people in the state for avoidance of marginalization in the scheme of things.
And among other several functions, the House is further tasked with deliberative function and before any bill is passed into law, or a resolution taken on any matter, members must procedurally, engage in a careful and meticulous deliberation of all the facts therein, to arrive at definite and worthy decisions.
However, in addition to lawmaking, oversight and representation roles of these parliamentarians, they are also expected to perform constituency services, which sounds to be one of the most influential functions of a lawmaker.
In Oyo’s current 8th Assembly, there are some lawmakers who are perceived to have performed below the bar, while many others have completely gone into oblivion, by consistently remaining dormant during plenary sessions.
As the fight for political surviver draws nearer and halfway into the tenure of the 8th Assembly, interestingly, from 2015 to 2017, a total of seven (7) members of the current Assembly did not live up to expectations.
Mega Icon Magazine investigation reveals a dismay perform of these parliamentarians who are poised to contest future elections, judging from the in-depth of their debates and contributions in the house, standing committees as well as what impact they have made on the electorate whose mandate they hold in trust.
By popular demand, Mega Icon Magazine brings you the inactive lawmakers in Oyo’s Assembly.
Hon. Abiodun Wahab, popularly addressed as ‘Deen Abbey’ representing Oluyole State Constituency under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is one of the bench warmers in the House; he hasn’t done much to represent his constituents.
Many have termed him as a controversial candidate as those in the know claimed that the lawmaker is currently swimming in turbulence political water following a court case questioning his victory in the 2015 elections. He was also alleged to be part of the plot spare heading the impeachment of the Speaker, Hon. Michael Adeyemo so that he could secure the Deputy Speaker position.
Equally, Accord lawmakers , Hon. Oloya Ayinla representing Ibadan North East State Constituency I and his counterpart from Ibadan North East II, Hon. Adeoye Adeniyi were also caught in the web.
It seems second term members of the Assembly are there to relax, instead representing. These parliamentarians are one of those former legislatures who are benchwarmers in the Oyo State House of Assembly, not living up to the billing as lawmakers.
In a related development, Hon. Akinmoyede Olafioye who is also the Chief Whip of the House has served different governments in various capacities.
The APC lawmaker from Lagelu State Constituency, Olafioye, well known in the politics of Oyo State was the former council boss of Lagelu Local Government. The ex- Councilor also served as both acting and elected Council Chairman during Governor Adebayo Alao Akala’s regime and retained the position during Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s first term tenure before securing his present political post.
Despite his huge political experience, he’s also one of the benchwarmers in the House; it’s pretty bad from the ex – council chief.
To put up a list like this without mentioning Hon. Oladipo Abimbola (APC) and his colleague, Hon. Jimoh Akintunde (APC) is like trying to travel to Australia from Nigeria by foot. It is difficult for them to scale through this tangled web.
Hon. Abimbola represents the good people of Ibadan North West State Constituency and served during the previous 7th Assembly led by Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, who is currently representing Oyo Central Senatorial District.
In addition, Hon. Jimoh Akintunde of Ibarapa Central/North-State Constituency performance’s has not been quite that impressive.
Both were among the lawmakers shirking their responsibilities in the Oyo State House of Assembly. They are not performing well as expected.
At this juncture, it is imperative to state that political representation is the activity of making citizens’ voices, opinions, and perspectives “present” in public policy making processes.
Unfortunately, Hon. Oguntade Olasunkanmi, another Accord Party member representing Egbeda State Constituency has not been given his constituents a decent representation. Nothing much from the lawmaker, he’s one of those benchwarmers fond of not contributing during plenary session. It’s pretty hard to glean out information on the lawmaker.
Ido Local Government chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo State has congratulated the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, on his conferment as a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE).
In a statement signed by the APC Ido LG Secretary, Engr. Ebenezer Olatiilu, the party described the recognition as a pivotal milestone in the lawmaker’s professional journey, acknowledging his contributions to engineering excellence and community development.
“This noble recognition is a testament to your unwavering dedication to the advancement of engineering practices, your exemplary leadership, and your commitment to the moral, spiritual, and political upliftment of our communities,” the statement read.
The party also highlighted Oseni’s influence in politics, noting his strategic insight and deep understanding of governance, which have earned him widespread admiration within Oyo State and beyond.
It further commended his role as Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), stating that his leadership continues to shape progressive governance in Ido LG, his federal constituency, and Oyo State.
The party described the FNSE conferment as a blessing to the local government and Oyo State’s political landscape, praying for wisdom, good health, and strength for Oseni to continue his service with excellence.
“May this new chapter bring greater achievements and divine favour,” the statement concluded.
A former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has officially rejoined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Jandor announced his return to the ruling party at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, approximately two weeks after resigning from the PDP.
In his address, he explained his decision, stating that APC prioritises electoral victory regardless of the candidate.
“We have decided to return to the All Progressives Congress, APC,” he declared.
Anticipating criticism over his political move, he referenced a Yoruba proverb, saying:
“Before you are quick to remind me of the reasons why I dumped APC, I want to say that there is a Yoruba adage that says, if a woman has not tried two husbands, she would not know which one is better.”
Jandor had previously left the PDP on 3rd March 2025, citing what he described as anti-party activities by some leaders in Lagos State.
“We were waiting to see if the party at the national level, governed by its constitution, would address these anti-party activities. Instead of sanctions, the same individual was appointed Vice Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee,” he said at the time.
Following his resignation from the PDP, Jandor met with several political figures, including President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as well as other key stakeholders in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Jandor’s political journey began with the APC, where he led the Lagos4Lagos Movement before defecting in 2022. He joined the PDP ahead of the 2023 governorship election and became the party’s flagbearer in Lagos, but lost to APC’s Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the tragic death of a police inspector, Ajele Oloyede, who passed away while on special duty at Goodwill Ceramic Company in Igbesa, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Omolola Odutola, made this known in a statement, revealing that an investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Oloyede was attached to the 78 PMF in Zamfara State.
According to the preliminary report, the incident occurred on 14 March 2025 at approximately 13:20 hours. Tolorunloju Stephen, an officer attached to the Force Headquarters Annex in Lagos, who was also on special duty at the company, recounted that he had just returned from Ikeja when he entered the security office and found Inspector Oloyede resting his head on a table.
“After exchanging pleasantries and briefly inquiring about his well-being, Oloyede responded positively,” Odutola stated.
However, moments later, as Stephen proceeded to the restroom, he heard a gunshot. Rushing back, he found Inspector Oloyede lying in a pool of blood.
“With the assistance of a private security personnel, the injured officer was immediately rushed to Ota General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor,” Odutola added.
She further disclosed that the firearm used in the incident has been recovered, and the deceased officer’s body has been deposited at the hospital for an autopsy.
Reacting to the development, the state Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, described the news as shocking and has ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding it, including the possibility of foul play or mental health factors.
“The police were swift in contacting the deceased officer’s family, and the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for discreet investigation,” the statement read.
The Ogun State Police Command expressed its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of Inspector Oloyede, assuring that all necessary support will be provided during this difficult time.
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