Aribisogan, then Minority Leader of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and representative of Ikole Constituency I, made the allegations at a press briefing following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmaker claimed that his disagreement with the state government and the leadership of the Assembly had intensified since he fell out with the PDP administration.
“I also want to personally thank you for your support for me since the beginning of my ordeals in the hands of Governor Fayose and the leadership of Ekiti State House of Assembly,” he told journalists.
Aribisogan said his problems with the Assembly leadership dated back to October 7, 2016, when he was suspended for what he described as 180 legislative days.
According to him, the suspension was illegal because the standing rules of the House did not permit a member to be suspended for more than 14 legislative days.
He said he eventually resumed his legislative duties on June 8, 2017, after spending about nine months away from the chamber.
The lawmaker alleged that the prolonged suspension had denied the people of Ikole Constituency I effective representation in the House.
“You will also recall that I said the House leadership led by Rt. Hon. Kola Oluwawole had continued to violate the Standing Order of the House which says no member of the House can be suspended beyond 14 legislative days,” he said.
‘My Life Is Under Threat’
Aribisogan said his defection from the PDP to the APC on June 27, 2017, further worsened his relationship with Governor Fayose and the Assembly leadership.
He alleged that the governor, working with the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kola Oluwawole, had embarked on a plot to permanently prevent him from representing his constituents.
He alleged that the governor, working with the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kola Oluwawole, had embarked on a plot to permanently prevent him from representing his constituents.
“Since I left the PDP, Governor Ayo Fayose, in connivance with Rt. Hon. Kola Oluwawole, have been plotting to kill me and deny my constituency permanently from being represented in the State Assembly,” he alleged.
Aribisogan further claimed that a group of armed men had been deployed around the Assembly complex to intimidate or attack him and his supporters.
He specifically named one Tajudeen Olagunju, popularly known as Alhaji, whom he alleged was leading the group.
“As I address you, the governor has drafted his killer squad led by one Tajudeen Olagunju, a.k.a. Alhaji, to the Assembly Complex,” Aribisogan alleged.
He claimed that the men were armed and had allegedly been instructed to attack him and his constituents whenever they approached the Assembly complex.
The lawmaker also alleged that an Assembly committee headed by Hon. Dele Fajemilehin, representing Gbonyin Local Government, was created as part of an attempt to lure him to the governor’s office.
According to him, the invitation was allegedly intended to create an opportunity for him to be attacked.
Aribisogan said the committee was later dissolved after information about the alleged plot became known, adding that another committee was being contemplated.
The allegations were presented by Aribisogan at the press briefing and were not independently established in the statement.
‘Fayose Has Taken Over the Assembly’
Beyond the alleged threat to his life, Aribisogan accused Governor Fayose of interfering excessively in the affairs of the state legislature.
He alleged that the legislative arm of government had lost its independence and was operating under the influence of the executive.
“Gentlemen of the press, the Ekiti State House of Assembly is in dire straits. The legislative arm had been taken over by the Executive Governor, Ayo Fayose, and its powers and rights are being constantly usurped by the governor,” he said.
Aribisogan referred to an alleged statement by Fayose during the presentation of the 2017 budget on December 6, 2016, in which he claimed the governor had declared, “I am the Speaker, Oluwawole is only acting on my behalf.”
He argued that such a statement, if made, raised serious questions about the independence of the legislature.
The lawmaker also cited Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that the governor could not simultaneously exercise another executive position during his tenure.
Aribisogan contended that Speaker Oluwawole had effectively surrendered the authority of the House to Fayose and therefore should resign.
He argued that the continued occupation of the position was inconsistent with the Assembly’s standing rules and insisted that there could not be two Speakers of the state House of Assembly.
Call for Fayose to Relinquish Alleged Role
Aribisogan challenged Fayose to appear before the House within 14 days and publicly relinquish what he described as the position of Speaker or resign as governor.
He also accused the governor of interfering in the appointment of commissioners without following the constitutional procedure requiring the state House of Assembly to screen and confirm nominees.
According to him, Fayose had directed six former commissioners to resume their duties without first submitting their names to the Assembly for screening.
Aribisogan argued that because the state cabinet had earlier been dissolved, any commissioners being reappointed should undergo fresh screening and confirmation before resuming office.
“I therefore advise the governor to send the names of the newly appointed commissioner-designates to Ekiti State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation,” he said.
The lawmaker maintained that adherence to constitutional provisions and the standing rules of the House was essential to preserving democratic governance in the state.
His press briefing marked another chapter in the increasingly bitter political dispute between him and the Fayose administration, coming shortly after his defection from the PDP to the APC.
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