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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.
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
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