Tag: Ondo Rep

In a massive show of solidarity to what they described as audacious leadership and legislative accountability project embarked upon by The Ekimogun Roundtable aimed at strengthening the country’s struggling representative democracy, 30 legal practitioners from across the country have indicated interest to offer free legal services to assist in its legislative enquiry and likely judicial processes. 

The Ekimogun Roundtable is a socioeconomic group of all Ondo indigenes from across the world

claiming that Hon Abiola Makinde, the House of representatives member representing Ondo East/West Federal Constituency  in the 10th national assembly abdicated his legislative duties for months during legislative session and relocated abroad with his National Assembly constituency office under lock and key, thereby rendering the entire constituency without representation for the period under review.

The Roundtable further alleged massive disparity in constituency fund/projects allotment to the constituency on paper and actual physical projects execution which further put question marks on the integrity of those around the community’s constituency projects procurement process at the green chamber of the National Assembly.

Acting secretary of the Roundtable Ms Christiana Ayodele gave this indication in a statement on Sunday. 

Christiana, in the statement, claimed Ondo East/West Federal Constituency has never had it this bad in terms of legislative performance since the advent of democracy such that critical issues of great national importance like National Budget, the national Anthem Act, among others will be discussed at the Hallowed chamber without the input of the good people of the Constituency.

Read Also: Constituents deny Ondo Rep Makinde relocated abroad

‘’National Assembly matters/Acts of parliament have become precious metals and or artefacts requiring special intervention to behold in the constituency due to lack of required legislative engagement and feedback necessary in a representative democracy’’ Ms Christiana further stressed.

On the list of the pro bono lawyers who have signified interest in the leadership/legislative accountability project are N.D Abdulsallam Esq, Bar Femi Akinbinu Esq, Timilehin A. Odunwo Esq, J. I Ayodele Esq, Israel Aribisala Esq, A.A. Waliyullah Esq, Boluwaji Oloro Esq., H.O Mustapha Esq, Owobu Godday Esq, Olanike E. Jimson Esq, Leslie Mukoro Esq, Osato Bright Esq, Elvis Ejeta Esq, Dolapo Obafunmi Esq. J A Ogundipe Esq and Samuel A. Akuh Esq.

Others include, M. Abdulkadir Esq, Okoji Fatimah Esq, I. A Salisu Esq 

E.O Rabo Esq, I. Husseini Esq 

H.S Yahya Esq. C.D Nwagu Esq

M. A Awopetu, M.A Alemeru Esq,

and M.S Sheu Esq.

The Ekimogun Roundtable has written to the National Assembly requesting the plenary attendance record of Makinde to ascertain his compliance with the relevant sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the House of Representatives Standing Rules on plenary attendance.

Some constituents in Ondo East/West federal constituency have denounced claims by a group their House of Representative member Hon. Abiola Makinde has relocated abroad.

The constituents described the group as faceless, unregistered and unknown individuals.

The concerned constituents, while describing the claims as falsehood, noted that such claim is just one of those moves by possible aspirants bent on tarnishing image of the lawmaker.

Chief Johnson Akinlosotu, a traditional chief in Ondo said: “This online group is not known to the constituents, we have never heard of such and we do not know what they represent.

“We have not authorised them to speak on behalf of Ondo East and West Federal Constituency. Members of the public are assured that these allegations are for sinister or political motives.

“They have not carried out any progressive cause in this constituency at any point in time nor do they have any antecedents in the constituency.

“We are proud of the representation of Hon. (Dr) Abiola Peter Makinde PhD which has been the best form of representation in the history of this city.”

Also reacting, leader of the Student Union Government of Adeyemi University of Education, Com. Okunade Ibrahim, said:“Where were they when Hon Makinde successfully pushed the bill to change the status of Adeyemi from a college of Education to a Federal University? Did they commend him anywhere? Where were they when Hon. Makinde annually distributed instructional materials to students in his constituency? 

“Where were all these people when Hon Makinde also constructed a public library for Ondo students? Where were they to commend Hon. Makinde when he sponsored over 25 people for overseas abroad study in Uk, Sweden, Norway, US, Canada and many more? We are proud of our MHR in all ramifications.” 

Chief Mrs Fayehun, Ondo West APC woman leader, said the publications were the handiwork of desperate politicians who started 2027 politics too early.

She urged them to instead of attacking a working Member House of Representatives to accelerate their political chances, should rather put in the hard work at grassroots level.

“The lawmaker is our dear son in whom we are well pleased. His annual Thanksgiving feeds over 5000 people with gifts to go home with.

Com. Kayode Folajogun, President of Ondo Ekimogun Youth Congress, a recognised youth body in Ondo Kingdom also said: “As a youth body, we do not recognize “Ekimogun Roundtable” as well as its destructive allegations on the person of the MHR while masquerading it as advocacy for the good people of Ondo East and West. 

“They may be a group of disgruntled opposition whose formation is being sponsored solely to commence a political round of propaganda against Hon Makinde.

“The closeness he shares with his constituents back home has never been called into question either. The performance of Hon Makinde both in his primary and oversight functions are all on social media and easily verifiable. 

“He has constantly shuttled Abuja and Ondo State almost every weekend in the past six months before the National Assembly recently went on recess. On March 27th, Hon Abiola Makinde paid an unscheduled visit to the Ondo City Children Park and Zoo currently under construction and due for commissioning soon.

“On April 1st, the MHR unveiled “Ekiwood Movie Village” which, when completed, it will be the biggest movie village in Ondo state. On April 5, Hon Makinde was also seen distributing welfare packages to the aged in his constituency tagged “Let the Old Rejoice 2.0.”

“On April 8th, Hon Makinde was seen receiving Prof Damilola Olawuyi SAN, Chairperson of the United Nations Working group on Business and Human Rights, as part of his oversight function as Chairman House Committee on Human Rights.

Read Also: Ondo Rep lambasts colleagues for reporting Aiyedatiwa to Tinubu

“Also on May 11th, Hon Makinde joined other well-wishers at the birthday of Pa Reuben Fasoranti in his Akure home. May 12th, he  paid another visit to check on the progress of the Ondo City Children Park and Zoo.

“On May 15th, he attended Defense Space Administration Abuja Seminar 2024. On May 22, Fellowship of Adeyemi Federal University of Education was confered on Hon Makinde. May 30th, Hon Makinde was seen hosting Children’s day with children of his constituency, distributing books and educational materials to them.

“And finally, just before the House went on recess, Hon. Makinde was a discussant at the YemiFash Online News Platform interactive session and dinner on June 2nd, 2024. All of which now begs the question of how Hon Makinde has relocated to the US as alleged by the group,” Folajogun informed.

“Is Makinde the only parliamentarian voted for in 2023 within Ondo East and West Local Government?  This is a clear indication of a desperate politician behind this propaganda.”