…Suspended Chairman Dismisses Claims As False, Politically Driven
…Residents, Market Women Stage Solidarity Protest In Support of Omolayo
A fresh crisis has erupted in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State following the suspension of the council’s Chairman, Hon. Tope Omolayo, by the Legislative Arm over allegations of financial impropriety and gross misconduct.
While the Legislative Council insists that due process was observed, Omolayo has strongly refuted the suspension, describing it as false, baseless and politically motivated.
In a press statement signed by the Majority Leader and Chairman, House Committee on Information, Media and Publicity, Hon. Owamoyo Tolani Okolo, the lawmakers maintained that the session which led to the chairman’s suspension was properly constituted and in line with statutory procedures.
According to the statement issued on Wednesday, ten out of eleven councillors attended the sitting, forming a valid quorum as required by law. It also noted that key officers, including the Clerk, Deputy Clerk, and Sergeant-at-Arms, were present to ensure due legislative process, while the mace, the recognised symbol of authority was duly displayed throughout the sitting.
The Legislative Arm disclosed that before Omolayo’s suspension, the House had deliberated extensively and passed “A Bill to Stop the Use of Siren Without Official Authority in Owo Local Government Area” into law, demonstrating that the sitting was both lawful and productive.
Explaining the grounds for the decision, the lawmakers said the suspension was necessitated by allegations of gross misconduct, financial irregularities, violation of statutory regulations, and other acts unbecoming of the chairman’s office.
“The decision to suspend Hon. Tope Omolayo was not taken lightly. These are serious issues that require thorough investigation,” the statement read.
The legislators further alleged that rather than addressing the allegations, Omolayo had allegedly engaged an opposition-aligned NULGE President to issue threats, including death threats, to councillors involved in the proceedings.
“It is deeply disturbing that, instead of addressing the allegations levelled against him, the suspended Chairman has allegedly involved an opposition party-aligned NULGE President to issue threats, including death threats, against honourable members who have carried out their duties transparently and in the best interest of the people. This conduct is unacceptable and unbecoming of a leader,” the statement added.
The lawmakers called on security agencies to investigate the threats and ensure the safety of council members, reaffirming their commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
However, Omolayo denied the suspension and dismissed the allegations as fabricated by political detractors.
“Those are elements of destruction. I didn’t receive any letter from them; we did not even argue. We were in the same programme yesterday,” he said.
He alleged that some councillors were aggrieved because he refused to release council funds for personal use.
“When they gave me project money, they said I should give them 30 per cent. I said no. They said I should go and bring ₦25 million. All they were agitating for was money, money, money,” he stated.
Omolayo insisted that he remains the substantive chairman of the council, stressing: “As far as we are concerned, nothing is happening. I am not impeached. I am not suspended. It’s just an online kangaroo announcement.”
On allegations of disrespecting traditional rulers, he urged the public to verify from the monarchs concerned. “One cannot praise himself. All you need to do is call Kabiyesi Ojomo, call Olupele, call Oluyere, call Olowo, call Elemure, call Oloba to ascertain this,” he said.
Meanwhile, residents, council workers and market women on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest at the Owo Local Government Secretariat in solidarity with the embattled chairman.
The protesters, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Omolayo Must Stay” and “We Stand With Our Chairman”, described the purported suspension as illegal and politically motivated.
They called on the state government to allow Omolayo to continue in office, commending his leadership style and developmental efforts within the local government.
A source within the council disclosed that many of the protesters were market women who praised the chairman’s accessibility and commitment to grassroots development.
Omolayo, who described himself as a man of peace, vowed not to be distracted by what he called political manipulation. “I am a man of peace. That is why the whole world loves me. Ask anybody,” he said, reaffirming, “I am still the executive chairman of our local government.”
As the crisis deepens, both the legislative and executive arms of the council remain at loggerheads, with residents calling for the intervention of relevant authorities to restore peace, transparency, and stability in the administration of Owo Local Government Area.
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