A deepening political storm has engulfed the Oyo State House of Assembly following allegations of a plot to impeach Governor Seyi Makinde, triggering sharp divisions and public denials among lawmakers.
What began as hushed speculation has escalated into a full-blown crisis within the legislature, with members taking sides amid fears of a breakdown in the relationship between the executive and legislative arms.
The development has also drawn the attention of the opposition All Progressives Congress, which is said to be closely watching the unfolding situation.
At the heart of the controversy is a reported high-level meeting held at the governor’s residence, where lawmakers were said to have deliberated on growing tensions and alleged moves capable of destabilising the state’s political structure.
In the wake of the meeting, cracks within the Assembly have become more visible, as some lawmakers openly denied any involvement in an impeachment plan, while others maintained silence, further fuelling suspicion of internal discord.
The Deputy Speaker, Abiodun Mohammed Fadeyi, dismissed the allegation as unfounded, describing it as a calculated attempt by unnamed actors to destabilise the state.
Similarly, the Chief Whip, Gbenga Oyekola, representing Atiba State Constituency, publicly distanced himself from the alleged plot, insisting he remained loyal to the governor.
In a statement shared via his verified Facebook page on Tuesday, Oyekola denied participating in any meeting or arrangement aimed at removing the governor, stressing that he would not engage in actions capable of disrupting the peace of the state.
The lawmaker, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, alleged that certain individuals were deliberately attempting to sow division within the Assembly and undermine its relationship with the executive.
He further disclosed that during discussions at the governor’s meeting, claims emerged that the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, had been approached by influential political and traditional figures over his future political ambitions, with alleged offers of financial inducement, which he reportedly rejected.
Oyekola reaffirmed his loyalty to Makinde, pledging continued support for the administration and commitment to sustaining peace and stability in the state.
His position mirrors that of several other lawmakers who have begun publicly aligning with the governor, even as political observers interpret the silence of some members as a sign of deeper divisions yet to surface.
The unfolding drama has also revived earlier warnings by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, whose caution about possible political instability in the region is now being revisited.
Meanwhile, traditional and political figures have been drawn into the controversy. The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, has denied any involvement in the alleged impeachment move, while Florence Ajimobi, wife of the late former governor Abiola Ajimobi, had yet to comment as of the time of filing this report.
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As more lawmakers are expected to state their positions in the coming days, the situation has heightened political tension in the state, with analysts warning that the crisis could test the stability of the Assembly and its relationship with the executive.
