A fresh political controversy has erupted in the Oyo State House of Assembly following a public statement credited to the Chief Whip, Gbenga Oyekola, which has drawn strong criticism from a political actor, Bolaji Afeez Repete.
Repete, in a response titled “Gbenga Oyekola: When Idleness Leads To Busy Body,” accused the lawmaker of making unverified and potentially damaging claims in a document described as a “Public Announcement.” He alleged that Oyekola attempted to cast aspersions on the reputations of certain individuals, including former First Lady, Dr. Florence Ajimobi.
According to Repete, the contents of the publication were based on hearsay and lacked evidential backing, insisting that such claims were unreliable and inappropriate for public dissemination. He further questioned the authority under which Oyekola made the statements, arguing that the Chief Whip was neither an official spokesperson of the House nor empowered to conduct investigative disclosures.
He also expressed concern over what he described as a diversion from pressing legislative responsibilities, urging members of the Assembly to focus on governance issues such as loan approvals, oversight functions, and other matters relating to the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Repete’s statement further criticised what he termed “spurious allegations,” calling on Oyekola to refrain from making public pronouncements that could escalate political tensions within the state legislature.
He maintained that the Assembly should prioritise its constitutional duties rather than engage in what he referred to as “distractions,” stressing the need for responsible communication among public office holders.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official reaction from Oyekola or the leadership of the Oyo State House of Assembly regarding the allegations and counter-allegations.