Oyo APC Alleges Plot to Victimise Lawmaker Over Loan

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised a serious alarm over alleged plans to victimise one of its members in the State House of Assembly, Ibraheem Shittu. The opposition party claims the plot is a reprisal for the lawmaker’s role in exposing a controversial N300 billion loan reportedly approved for Governor Seyi Makinde. According to the APC, the conspiracy, orchestrated by individuals close to the governor, aims to not only harass and attack the legislator but also to have him suspended indefinitely from the Assembly complex. This allegation has opened a new front in the ongoing political rivalry between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition in the state, with the APC’s claims pitting its lawmaker against the leadership of the House and the state government.

The controversy stems from a financial approval granted by the State House of Assembly. The APC, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Olawale Sadare, claimed that the legislative arm “surreptitiously” approved a N300 billion loan during its recess. This claim has, however, been disputed by the Oyo State government. In a statement of its own, the state government clarified that there was no “fresh” N300 billion loan. Instead, it stated that the House had approved a N149 billion refinancing of an existing loan and a N151 billion financial package for infrastructure and contractor financing. The government maintained that the refinancing was a form of responsible fiscal management aimed at reducing the state’s debt burden by swapping a more expensive loan for one with better terms. The N151 billion, they added, was designated for key legacy projects, including the completion of the Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road and an upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, a move they believe will spur economic growth and development in the state. This clear disparity in information has turned the political dispute into a battle for public opinion, with both sides presenting conflicting narratives to the citizens of Oyo State.

The APC further alleged that the leadership of the House of Assembly has concluded plans to accuse Hon. Shittu of breaching some parliamentary rules. The party claims that the lawmaker will be forced to face what it described as a “kangaroo panel” which would eventually hand him an indefinite suspension. This threat of political victimization brings to the fore the precarious position of whistle-blowers, particularly those in a political environment. While Nigeria has a whistle-blowing policy, there is no comprehensive law to protect individuals from reprisals for exposing wrongdoing. The lack of such a legal framework leaves individuals like Hon. Shittu vulnerable to retaliation, as a body like the House of Assembly has the power to sanction its members based on its own internal rules and procedures. This reality gives the APC’s claim a frighteningly real dimension and underscores the risks that members of the opposition face in holding the ruling party accountable for its actions. It also highlights the fragility of democratic institutions when political interests override the principles of transparency and due process.

The APC has used the threat of victimization to call on eminent personalities and security agencies to intervene. In its statement, the party urged prominent figures within and outside the state to prevail on Governor Seyi Makinde to halt what it called “satanic plans” sponsored by “unscrupulous elements” around him. The opposition also called on heads of all security agencies in the state to ensure the safety and fundamental rights of Hon. Ibraheem Shittu are not trampled upon. This public appeal shows the extent to which the political temperature has risen over the issue. The historical rivalry between the APC and the PDP in Oyo State has often been heated, but this new turn of events, involving allegations of a plot to physically harm a lawmaker and suspend him from his duties, suggests that the conflict has escalated to a new level. The outcome of this dispute will not only determine the fate of the lawmaker but will also set a precedent for the relationship between the ruling party and the opposition in Oyo State for the foreseeable future.