Isolo Legislative Crisis: Assembly reschedules visit as council leader recalls suspended members
By Rasaq Adebayo
Isolo Council Leader, Hon. Remy Shittu Remy, has lifted the suspension slammed on two councillors for absenting themselves from plenary.
This development came after seven sitting days into the initial 14 sitting days suspension slammed on the two principal lawmakers – the deputy leader, Hon. Akeem Ayoola and the chief whip, Hon. Olanrewaju Ayoola on Monday, March 1, 2021.
In a statement on Monday, Remy said the two councillors have been recalled.
The council’s legislative arm had sanctioned the lawmakers and two others for being absent from plenary on Thursday, February 25.
The two others, Hon. Abisodun Odusina-Adeoye and Hon. Kanayo Osondu were fined.
Remy noted that the house had to lift the suspension base on the party’s directive that the members be reabsorbed into the fold.
He clarified that the unexpected crisis that ensued from their sanctioned delayed the process of recalling them as he emphasised that the house remains bound by love as the rancour is now a thing of the past.
His statement titled “Isolo Legislative Arm: House Reabsorbs Suspended Councillors” reads: “The leadership of Isolo Lawmaking Arm has today Monday, March 22, lifted the ban on its two suspended principal officers – The Deputy Leader, Hon. Akeem Ayoola and the Chief Whip, Hon. Olanrewaju Kayode.
“Recall that the duo alongside two other councillors – Hon. Abisodun Odusina-Adeoye and Hon. Kanayo Osondu were slammed with suspension and fine respectively, like disciplinary actions for their ‘disturbing’ absence from plenary on Thursday, February 25, 2021, without any prior notice or apology.
“I’ll like to emphatically make it known that the ugly crisis that came to play following their suspension delayed the process of recalling them but all is settled now and there is no more rancour among members of the legislative institution.
“All members of the 4th Legislative Assembly of Isolo LCDA under the leadership of Hon. Remy Shittu Remy remains bound by love and will continue to carry out their individual and collective obligations as expected.”
He confirmed that the planned visitation by members of the state House of Assembly has been rescheduled to Wednesday, March 24 while the planned intervention of the state leadership of the party will now come up on Thursday, March 25.
Speaking about the development, the party chairman, Barrister Gani Bello expressed his surprise about the development as he explained that he is yet to be briefed about it as he believes that the house is on two weeks recess as announced on Monday, March 15.
He said that he could not confirm if the suspension has been lifted
“I don’t know. I’m right now in Ibadan. When I return to Lagos I will know. I’ve not heard any report yet. I can’t confirm. All I know is that as of Thursday the house went on recess for two weeks. If they had cut short the recess I don’t know. Like I told you at that time this should be a family affair, if it hadn’t been prolonged unduly, it shouldn’t have gotten to this stage at all. Last Monday we thought the issue will be resolved but instead, they went on recess. There is a clear act of disobedience to the directive and agreement the party reached with him. He was the one who proposed it and we approved.
“I don’t expect him to approve another recess when the matter is hot and tension is rising. The ugly incident that happened in the council last Monday was very bad. It’s a slap on the dignity of the party. I heard the delegate from assembly is coming on Wednesday, we will know what’s happening by then, but for now, I can confirm if the suspension has been lifted.”
Speaking about Remy’s suspension from the party, Bello stated that it was a consensus agreement from the party leaders and it still stands.
