Ogun State Governor, Amosun Sacks LG Boss, Others

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun yesterday sacked the leadership of Ijebu-East Local Government Area for undisclosed reasons.
However, sources close to the governor’s office, Oke Mosan linked the governor’s action to a fraud and distrust among principal officers of the council, which threatened the unity of the area.
The state government also announced composition of a panel of enquiry to investigate allegations levelled against both the executive and legislative arm of the council.
Amosun’s action came barely three years, precisely on Tuesday February 23, 2010 after his erstwhile predecessor in office, Otunba Gbenga Daniel did similar thing in the council area.
It would be recalled that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration fired the leadership of the Ambassador Tunde Oladunjoye-led administration after the mayhem that led to the death of the Police Area Commander in Ijebu-Ife on December 5, 2009.
According to Daniel, he took the action following the refusal of the then council chairman, Mr. Tunde Oladunjoye and his lieutenants to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the state government. Amosun in a press statement issued in Abeokuta, the state capital said he was exercising his powers under Sections 39 and 43 of the state Local Government Law.
The statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa said the entire leadership of the council including the chairman, Dare Ogunde, as well as his vice, the entire councillors and all political appointees had been suspended for a period of 90 days in the first instance.
The suspended chairman, his deputy, all councillors and political appointees had been directed to stay away from the council premises and affairs of government during the period.
“During the period of suspension, the Head of the Local Government Administration (HOLGA) would administer the council pending further directives and the outcome of the inquiry into the affairs of the local government as ordered by the Governor.”
The Panel of Inquiry had Chief Wole Adesiji as Chairman, Mr. James Kolawole Omotosho of the state Ministry of Justice as Secretary, while Mrs. Ayoola Afolabi and Mr. Bayo Adeyemi would serve as members. The panel members are to submit their reports within 14 days.
Meanwhile, efforts made by Daily Sun to get official reactions of the state government met brick walls.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, who was asked to speak on the development through a text refused to do so.
“The government has issued a statement signed by the SSG. I cannot say anything more than what is in the statement,” Olaniyonu stated in a text message.