I Don't Regret My Action, Truth Will Prevail Soon - Hon Akingbolu

Shortly after Fountain Newsbreaker published the press release by Hon Adeoye Aribasoye, a lawyer and new Chairman House Committee on Media, his counterpart, Hon Tajudeen Akingbolu, also a lawyer called for an interview over what he called an "illegal action" by his colleagues. The interview which was conducted by our ASSISTANT EDITOR, Fadekemi Oniyelu goes thus;

Fountain Newsbreaker: What's your reaction to your suspension from Ekiti State House of Assembly by your colleagues?

Hon Akingbolu: Please, a point of correction there, I'm not a suspended house of Assembly member

Fountain Newsbreaker: But that's according to the release by the House Committee Chairman on Media, Hon Adeoye Aribasoye, your professional colleague

Hon Akingbolu: Yes, I saw it and that's why I called you for a fair hearing. Whatever is the interest of your newspaper in this matter, I believe you must operate professionally by hearing from the other side.

Fountain Newsbreaker; It's a press release sir and if you send yours it will be used. Try to address the issue raised sir...

Hon Akingbolu: As per the release by my learned brother and colleague in the Assembly, Hon Aribasoye, I am sure he was carried away by political sentiment and emotion. Ask him to show you any provision of our constitution that supports their actions. He must be quoting the law upside down. As a minister in the temple of justice, every lawyer should uphold the rule of law no matter the lust of office. That's what is expected of my learned colleague. Several judicial pronouncements of superior courts attest to the fact that a member of the State or National Assembly can't be validly suspended by his colleagues. It is like exercising power that they don't have. No one can put something on nothing and expect it to stand.

Fountain Newsbreaker: How do you now intend to perform your duty as things are now?

Hon Akingbolu: Ekiti State House of Assembly has no power under the law to deny my constituency representation. As an elected representative, I was giving 4 years tenure by virtue of the votes cast for me by my constituents. The four years freely given through ballots can't be interrupted by the Ekiti State House of Assembly under any guise. It is unreasonable and illogical for few members to sit down in the comfort of their offices in Ekiti State House of Assembly Complex and pronounced my purported suspension without recourse to any law. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria makes it abundantly clear that the only way through which any State or National Assembly legislator can be removed is through recall by his or her constituents. What the Ekiti State House of Assembly had done under this circumstances amounted to subversion of the wishes of the good people of Ekiti west constituency 1. In fact and in law, it is ultra vires and of no effect whatsoever.

Fountain Newsbreaker: In all of this, have you had any interaction with the governor who happens to be from the same constituency with you? 

Hon Akingbolu: Not at all. As a lawyer, I believe it is a battle I can fight. I know quite well that my illegal suspension can't stand. I don't need to bother Mr Governor because he has a lot of things on his table. I'm capable enough to do the needful and protect my seat in the assembly. I won't allow any group of people to deny my constituents representation. The decision to purportedly suspend me is an afront to the people of my constituency, particularly Mr Governor who was among those that voted me into office. Like earlier said,I will correct the abnormality through every legitimate means.

Fountain Newsbreaker: Do you have any regret over your action on this imbroglio?

Hon Akingbolu: Regret? Not at all. How can I regret my action for exercising my fundamental rights. My sister, let me tell you, I'm not afraid to stand in defence of justice and democracy. The institution of legislature must be allowed to function as expected. I haven't done anything to warrant any disciplinary action for participating alongside those who claimed to suspend me in an open and transparent election where Rt. Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan emerged. So, if I had to stand up and do the right thing as dictated by my conscience who can say I've committed any offence over this?

Fountain Newsbreaker: But among your offences was that you suspended the supplementary budget of the new government.

Hon Akingbolu: That allegation is laughable. I'm sure these people are confused. The last time I checked I was not the chairman or member of the Appropriation Committee of the house. Hon Olubunmi Adelugba happened to be the Chairman of the committee. She should be held responsible if truly passage of supplementary budget is delayed. You would remember Rt. Hon. Olugboyega Aribisogan was elected on Tuesday 15th November 2022, the following day, the House of Assembly complex was under lock and key by the Nigerian police. Hon members and staff were denied access to the premises thereby preventing us from performing our constitutional duties as legislators. Assembly complex was under siege from that Wednesday until the unparliamentary hour on Monday when the same police excorted few of our members to the Assembly to desecreate the hallow chambers in a manner that baffled everybody. Like I said, they're confused and only looking for any thing to indict me. They have failed on this project to blackmail me as an enemy of the state. Can anyone of them claim to be more of Oyebanji than I do? Who among them contributed more than me to the BAO's project? My sister the truth is that everyone of them is being pushed by self-ambition but I can assure you that the truth will prevail very soon.