The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has organized a peaceful protest over the alleged victimization of one of its lawmakers, Ibraheem Shittu, who represents Saki West State Constituency. The protest was held at the APC secretariat in Ibadan, with party members showing solidarity with Shittu, who has been receiving threat messages.
Background of the Protest
Shittu had raised an alarm about a N300 billion loan approved by the Oyo State House of Assembly for Governor Seyi Makinde's administration. He claimed that the loan was approved during an emergency plenary session without proper communication to all members. The APC is standing by Shittu, demanding that he should not be victimized for taking a bold step to stand against the loan ¹.
Details of the Loan
According to the Oyo State Government, the loan includes:
- *N149 billion for refinancing*: to replace an older, more expensive loan with a new facility on better terms, reducing the state's repayment burden.
- *N151 billion for infrastructure investment and contractor financing*: a structured arrangement to fund ongoing and new projects while giving contractors confidence to deliver on time.
Reaction from the Oyo State House of Assembly
The Assembly has condemned Shittu's claims, describing them as "misleading" and "a reflection of his complete disconnect from legislative responsibilities". They emphasized that emergency plenaries are constitutional and practiced in all serious legislatures across Nigeria, including the National Assembly. The Assembly also highlighted Shittu's poor attendance record, stating that he has only attended plenary sessions about 20% of the time ².
Implications of the Protest
The protest highlights the growing tension between the APC and the current administration in Oyo State. The APC's support for Shittu demonstrates their commitment to holding the government accountable for its actions, particularly regarding the N300 billion loan. The outcome of this protest remains to be seen, but it is clear that the APC will continue to voice its concerns about the loan and its potential impact on the state's economy ¹.
