DESCENDING TO A NEW LOW IN ONDO STATE: Through this inept APC national leadership, Nigeria has been drawn into battle with CNN over the Lekki Toll Gate saga. In similar fashion, Ondo State may well be drawn on a collision course with Channels TV following their coverage of the ongoing Ondo State House of Assembly crisis orchestrated by an inept APC governance in the state.

I listened in shock for over 20 minutes as APC legislators in Ondo State washed their dirty linen in the full glare of national TV with LIVE worldwide coverage showing Contempt for the Nigerian Constitution & standard legislative procedures.

The recently impeached Deputy Speaker (APC) presented his case of illegal impeachment by his colleagues and those actions were being justified by a spokesman of the House of Assembly (also APC) who displayed both ignorance and knowledge of critical facts, or being more accurate, he was being economic with the truth whenever he felt uncomfortable with questions arising. So why was he designated the House Spokesman? A new low in Ondo State.

Origin of the House of Assembly crisis was the attempted impeachment of the Deputy Governor earlier in the year, wherein 9 House members dissociated themselves from the impeachment process, which meant that the 2/3 majority required for the impeachment, couldn’t be obtained.

The suspended members have gone to court for reprieve and obtained appropriate Orders to lift their (purported legal) suspensions, but the Court Orders are being treated with disdain as if they were Toilet Tissue Paper. A new low in Ondo State.

Of course, the Legislature of Ondo State are the ones in the eye of the storm in this outplaying drama, but the main characters behind this despicable soap opera are Arakurin Akeredolu and Arakurin Kekere Agboola, the Governor and Deputy Governor of Ondo State who as at today belong to APC and ZLP respectively. Another new low for Ondo State.

Is it any wonder that Governance in Ondo State has been jettisoned on the altar of intra-party squabbles to which our elected officials are fully committed? Is it any wonder that protection of citizens is least on the priorities of our APC government in Ondo State and a First Class Oba could be shot by suspected bandits or kidnappers on his way back from Council of Obas meeting held in Akure? A further new low in Ondo State.

Seun Olufemi