The Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Legislative Council in Ogun State has lifted the suspension placed on the Executive Chairman, Wasiu Lawal, following the intervention the Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, and other leaders of the All Progressives Congress.
This was as the chairman heeded the request of the councillors by presenting the council’s income and expenditure account.
The Leader of the House, Mutairu Gbadamosi, said the suspension was lifted during plenary on Friday, saying it was taken in the interest of peace, stability, and progress of the local government.
In a statement on Saturday, Gbadamosi said the council’s earlier suspension of Lawal was in line with its constitutional powers and oversight functions over issues bordering on transparency, accountability, and administrative conduct.
“You will recall that, in the exercise of our constitutional powers and in line with our oversight functions, this Honourable House took the decision to suspend the Executive Chairman, Alhaji Wasiu Lawal Adewale, over issues bordering on transparency, accountability, and administrative conduct,” Gbadamosi said.
However, he explained that respected party leaders, including the deputy governor, Salako-Oyedele; the member representing Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency, Tunji Akinosi; the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sessan Fagbayi; Lai Taiwo; Kazeem Salako; and the APC LG chairman, J.J. Akeran, intervened in the crisis and helped reconcile both sides.
“Their fatherly and motherly guidance and mediation have brought about reconciliation and mutual understanding; and in view of the executive chairman’s compliance with one of our key resolutions, the presentation of the Income and Expenditure Account of the Local Government, this Honourable House has resolved to lift the suspension earlier placed on him,” he stated.
Following the resolution, the Acting Chairman, Abosede Balogun, officially handed over the affairs of the local government to Lawal in the presence of the party leaders who witnessed the event.
“This symbolic moment represents a return to normalcy and a renewed commitment to collective service,” Gbadamosi added.
He assured that the council would continue to uphold its constitutional mandate of ensuring accountability and good governance, working harmoniously with the executive, guided by transparency and the rule of law.
PUNCH Online had reported on Thursday that the legislative council had earlier suspended Lawal over alleged gross misconduct after a motion was moved by the councillor representing Ota Ward 2, Musediq Asalu.
Asalu had accused the chairman of negligence, insubordination, and financial misconduct, alleging that he failed to submit the council’s Income and Expenditure Account despite repeated requests by the House.
According to the councillor, the actions contravened provisions of the Ogun State Local Government Law 2000 (as amended), including Sections 37(11), 52(f), and 52(i) of Part V.
The council, led by Gbadamosi, endorsed the motion after no member supported a counter-motion.
Lawal was directed to hand over government properties to the Head of Local Government Administration, while the Vice Chairman, Abosede Balogun, was asked to act in his place.
Contacted at the time, Lawal denied the allegations and described the suspension as “fake”.
With the latest resolution, the legislative and executive arms of the Ado-Odo/Ota council have restored working relations under the mediation of APC leaders.
“Let it be clearly stated that this House remains committed to its constitutional mandate of ensuring accountability and good governance. We shall continue to work hand-in-hand with the Executive, guided by mutual respect, transparency, and the rule of law. On behalf of the entire Legislative Council, I commend our party leaders, stakeholders, and all who worked tirelessly to achieve this peaceful resolution. May this mark the beginning of a stronger, more united, and more effective local government administration,” Gbadamosi submitted.
