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The only Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) member in the 24-member Kwara State House of Assembly, Jimoh Agboola, has been suspended for allegedly criticising the administration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq.
Agboola, who is the only opposition member of the Assembly, was suspended indefinitely from attending plenaries over alleged contempt and abuse of privilege.
His suspension followed a motion moved by the House Leader, Abubakar Olawoyin, during Tuesday’s plenary, drawing the Assembly’s attention to a radio interview granted by Agboola.
During the nterview aired on a local radio station in the early hours of Tuesday, the lawmaker criticised the APC-led government for sidelining his Ilorin South constituency from developmental projects.
Agboola claimed other lawmakers, except himself, have been mobilised to execute some projects in their various constituencies.
During the 35-minute long programme, he blamed the deplorable state of roads in Gaa-Akanbi area of Ilorin on the governor’s failure to conduct local government elections, two years into office.
He also spoke on how his colleagues in the House of Assembly are victimising him by excluding him from benefits, being the only opposition lawmaker.
Due to the alleged marginalisation of his constituency, the lawmaker announced that his constituents would stage a protest on Saturday.
But Olawoyin while leading the debate on the motion said; “the Assembly is an institution and not an individual and as such must be respected.”
He further accused Agboola of making a despicable comment about the House, adding that the lawmaker’s call for a protest amid the insecurity is unsafe and could lead to chaos.
Contributing, the lawmaker representing Iwo/Isin constituency, Olumide Ayokunle, said the derogatory language against the House should not be condoned.
Both Olawoyin and Ayokunle urged the House to investigate Ayoola over the allegations levelled agaist the House and Governor Abdulrasaq.
The Speaker, Yakubu Danladi, in his response, directed the House Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Judiciary to conduct an investigation on the matter and report its findings as soon as possible.
He also directed Agboola to stop attending plenary pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The suspended lawmaker, however, maintained that he is entitled to his opinion as a Nigerian and as a lawmaker.
“I was saying the facts about what is happening in the state. I have not in any way incited anybody against anybody,” he told PREMIUM TIMES.
According to him, the House does not have the power to deny him the representation of his people.
He vowed that Saturday’s protest will go on as planned, adding that further actions would be communicated afterwards.
“I’ve decided to handle the matter in a mature way,” Agboola said.
Agboola was sworn-in into in February 2021, almost two years after several court judgements have ordered his inauguration.
He replaced Azeez Oluwanilo of All Progressives Congress’ (APC), who was the winner of the March 9, 2019 election.
Oluwanilo’s victory was nullified because his name was not submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the stipulated time.