I’m still the speaker for Ekiti, says Aribisogan

The Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, Honorable Gboyega Aribisogan of Ikole Constituency 1, has insisted that he is still in that position.

This is in spite of the impeachment allegedly carried out against him on Monday by individuals he characterized as disgruntled state assembly members.

In the wee hours of Monday, the troubled Speaker issued a press statement to media outlets that he personally signed and explained his stance.

In his statement, Aribisogan said:

Relating to the alleged impeachment of the speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and suspension of seven honorable members, the document titled “Re: Purported Impeachment of The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and Suspension Of Seven Honourable Members” stated that “the Principal Officers of the Ekiti State House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Olugboyega Aribisogan, condemned in strongest terms the illegal invasion of the House of Assembly Chamber

“Ekiti people are aware that the House of Assembly adjourned sine die on November 15, 2022, following the election of Rt. Hon. Aribisogan as Speaker.

The people of Ekiti State are also aware that a detachment of armed policemen have been occupying the Assembly Complex’s facilities since early on Wednesday, 16 November 2022, preventing the legislature from performing its constitutionally mandated duties.

According to Aribisogan’s further explanation, on Monday, November 21, 2022, early in the morning, seven disgruntled members of the House were led by policemen into the Assembly Chamber for a meeting that could only be described as illegal and undoubtedly not a plenary session because it was not called in accordance with Order V, Rule 18 (1) of the House Rules.