Oyo State Assembly Justifies Approval of N300 Billion Loan Amid Controversy
The Oyo State House of Assembly has affirmed that the authorization of a N300 billion loan to the state government was conducted with thorough deliberation and full compliance with legislative procedures.
This clarification comes in response to allegations made by Hon. Ibrahim Shittu, the representative for Saki West State Constituency, who claimed that an emergency plenary session was covertly convened to approve the loan without proper notification to lawmakers.
Official Response to Allegations of Secret Loan Approval
In a joint statement issued by Majority Leader Sanjo Adedoyin and Waheed Akintayo, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Media, Public Affairs, and ICT, the Assembly dismissed these accusations as misleading and indicative of a lack of understanding of legislative duties.
The statement emphasized that the emergency plenary held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, was formally announced through the Assembly’s official communication channels, ensuring all members were duly informed.
“The claim that the session was held without notifying members is unfounded,” the statement read. “A screenshot from the Majority Leader’s message confirms that all Honourable members received the notification, which was acknowledged by several of them.”
Legitimacy of Emergency Plenary Sessions
The Assembly underscored that emergency plenary sessions are constitutionally sanctioned and are a common practice in legislative bodies nationwide, including the National Assembly.
“Emergency sessions are a vital part of responsive governance and are neither illegal nor unusual,” the statement clarified.
Breakdown of the N300 Billion Loan Request
The Assembly provided further details on the loan, explaining that N149 billion is allocated to refinance an existing loan with United Bank for Africa (UBA), while the remaining N151 billion is a fresh request aimed at funding infrastructure projects and contractor payments.
This distinction, the statement noted, was either overlooked or deliberately ignored by Hon. Shittu in his criticisms.
Concerns Over Hon. Ibrahim Shittu’s Legislative Performance
Highlighting attendance records, the Assembly revealed that Hon. Shittu has participated in only 20% of plenary sessions, marking him as the least active member of the current 10th Assembly.
“He has consistently been absent from key legislative events, including the budget presentation and the governor’s state address,” the statement said.
Moreover, Hon. Shittu was the sole member who did not engage in recent comprehensive oversight visits to various executive and local government projects across Oyo State.
His lack of involvement extends to committee duties and legislative contributions, where his input has been minimal or irrelevant.
“This pattern of absenteeism and inactivity not only shortchanges his constituents but also undermines the legislative mandate entrusted to him,” the Assembly asserted. “He has yet to sponsor any bill, motion, or make meaningful contributions on the Assembly floor.”
Commitment to Transparency and Call for Constructive Participation
Despite the controversy, the Oyo State House of Assembly reaffirmed its dedication to transparency, accountability, and legislative excellence.
The lawmakers urged the public to disregard what they described as “politically motivated distractions” from underperforming legislators.
“Instead of spreading baseless accusations, Hon. Shittu should focus on fulfilling his responsibilities as a legislator. His ongoing absence and lack of participation are detrimental to both the Assembly and the people of Saki West,” the statement concluded.
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