It may no longer be a news that the Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, Gboyega Aribisogan elected last week has been impeached. What is however generating reaction is the way and manner, Aribisogan who is representing Ikole Constituency 1 was removed from office by what many believed to be a ‘coup’ orchestrated by former governor of the State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
Aribisogan was removed from his position and suspended indefinitely by 17 out of the 25 members of the assembly who voted in favour of his removal.
After Aribisogan’s removal, the lawmakers elected Olubunmi Adelugba as the new speaker.
The development came hours after Aribisogan had accused Kayode Fayemi, immediate past governor of the state, of masterminding a plot to impeach him.
He said Fayemi was colluding with seven lawmakers of the state assembly to impeach him on Monday, (today).
Aribisogan would be recalled was elected Speaker on November 15, 2022.
He replaced Funminiyi Afuye, the previous speaker, who died in October after he reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest.
Twenty-four hours after he was sworn in, the police laid siege on the assembly complex over claims that some persons were planning to attack the lawmakers.
Before his Emergence, Aribisogan was the Majority Leader of the House before he emerged as the new Speaker despite efforts by the immediate former governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi to impose his candidate, Bunmi Adelugba on the house, in a move many believed to retain control of the state legislature.
It was gathered that Fayemi called a meeting of stakeholders and did not eveb inform the State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji about his move to ensure that Adelugba, who represents Emure constituency, to become the Speaker of the House.
Fayemi was said to have on Sunday summoned top politicians in the state to his house and categorically told them to support Adelugba for the vacant position.
He, however failed to invite the governor to the gathering where the plot was being made to technically give himself a third term in office by retaining control of the House.
Aribisogan, who was said to have the support of Governor Oyebanji then had 15 votes to defeat Fayemi’s candidate, Adelugba who got 10 votes.
Aribisogan was thereafter sworn in at the plenary of Tuesday by the clerk of the House, Mr. Tola Esan.
It was also gathered that the siege on the Assembly complex by Police was orchestrated by Fayemi who wanted Aribisogan out by all means.
And today Aribisogan who had earlier raised alarm over plot by Fayemi to impeach him has been impeached and also suspended with other lawmakers who are in his camp.
Also suspended with Gboyega Aribisogan are Tajudeen Akingbolu, Goke Olajide, Yemisi Ayokunle, Adeyemi Raphael Ajibade, Kemi Balogun and Tope Ogunleye.