Dare Babalola
The Oyo State House of Assembly has rejected the apology tendered by Ibrahim Shittu, the member representing Saki West State Constituency, deeming it to be lacking in sincerity and remorse.
According to the assembly, the apology failed to meet the ethical standards of the legislature.
On January 20, Majority Leader Sanjo Adedoyin accused fellow lawmaker Shittu of making defamatory and malicious allegations against him and the Assembly leadership.
Adedoyin, who represents Ogbomoso South, raised the matter as a personal explanation on the floor during the first plenary sitting for 2026 on January 20.
The Majority Leader described the allegations as a serious breach of his legislative privileges and a direct assault on his reputation and the Oyo State House of Assembly’s integrity.
Adedoyin stated that the controversy stemmed from a speech made by Shittu at a public event in Saki Town, which later circulated widely on social media.
Shittu apologised for speaking on what he admitted was inadequate information that brought disrepute to the assembly; lawmakers faulted both the tone and content of his apology.
Presenting the report, Chairman of the Ethics and Privileges Committee, Gbenga Oyekola, said both lawmakers appeared before the committee on January 22.
The committee reviewed legislative instruments, oath of office documents, and the viral video footage, ensuring that due process and principles of natural justice were fully observed.
Oyekola said that Shittu’s statements were reckless, unfounded, and capable of undermining public confidence in the legislature.
The committee determined that the allegations were unsubstantiated, violated the majority leader’s rights, and tarnished the House’s reputation.
Lawmakers from both parties contributed to the debate, with Luqman Jimoh, representing Oorelope State Constituency (APC), to which Shittu belongs, apologising on behalf of the party and appealing that the house tender justice with mercy.
In the same vein, Sola Owolabi, representing Ibadan North-East 11 (PDP), also pleaded for leniency.
However, other members in their contributions faulted the apology made by Shittu, describing it as insincere and lacking genuine remorse.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, said that Shittu’s meeting with the majority leader was evidence of the leadership’s directive to resolve the issue raised against the former internally.
He affirmed that no additional evidence was produced by the petitioner during the investigation.
The speaker explained that allegations of bribery levelled against the majority leader were scandalous and grave, requiring a formal, unreserved written apology rather than a mere verbal expression before the house.
Ogundoyin ruled that Shittu’s apology be rejected, citing its inadequacy and lack of genuine contrition.
The house thereafter referred the matter back to the Ethics and Privileges Committee for recommendations on appropriate disciplinary action against the lawmaker.
