Kwara legislators are not doing well for their people, says Oyedepo

CHIEF Iyiola Oyedepo, a legal practitioner and a former Chief Whip of Kwara State House of Assembly (1999-2003) in this interview with ABIODUN FAGBEMI bemoaned the alleged compromising stance of members of Kwara state House of Assembly, alleging that the House leadership is a lame duck dancing to the whims and caprices of the executive arm. Excerpts.

Can you compare your tenure in the State House of Assembly with present legislature in the state?

I believe that the legislature ordinarily should be the most important arm of government. Besides, the principles embedded in democracy can only be made functioning under this belief. That was my understanding when I was privileged to serve in that capacity between 1999 and 2003. Till date, I do not share in the erroneous belief that the House should be a rubber stamp. The founding fathers of the modern day democracy never intended it so either. Our own House was a bit better than this one. I was the Chief whip during our days. But despite holding this position, there was a day I stood up at the floor of the House and challenged the administration of the then Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal. I made the famous statement then that, our party All Nigeria Peoples Party, (ANPP), and our government have no focus. The elders of the party were furious at me but I stood my ground. Even, when it became a press issue, there were pressures that I should retract it but I said no. I, instead went ahead to say that, we did not know the quality of the colour of Lawals administration. When the party chairman summoned me again, I simply told him that, I spoke based on what I saw. As a legislator, you are not supposed to fear the party and the government. You are representing a constituency. For instance, Lawal wanted to create a Local Government Council (LGC), and created it in such a way that was offensive to the constitution of Nigeria.

How do you mean?

Yes, he wanted to create the Council, I mean, Maro Local Government Area, in such a way that our people in Igbomina land would be part and parcel of Ilorin. There was nothing Lawal did not do including massive inducement of money; I did not agree to sell my people. At last, Maro was created but was never merged with the Igbominas. I was then honoured by my people as Just not the Akogun of Isin my town but as Akogun of the entire Igbomina Land.

You have been fingered as one of those the former governor Mohammed Lawal used to impeach the former speaker. Can you explain your role on this?

You got it wrong. I was actually one of those who openly criticized Lawal for attempting it. I told him that he could not do that. How many of our legislators today in kwara can say no to Governor Bukola Saraki? How many of them can challenge him? Here is a Governor who would never stay at home. He rules us instead from abroad. Who among them can challenge him?

Will you agree that there has been a tremendous improvement considering the influx of investors into the state?

See, the economy you are talking about is for some few and far from being for the majority. It is for some people at the expense of others. Even, the federal appointment has been advantageous to the people of Ilorin. But none of our assembly members is seeing the injustice. For us on the other side, we call the present legislators, members of the kwara state House of Decoration. Weve never had it so bad at the House.

Which set of the Assembly has had it so good if this set has had it so bad?

Let us look at the time of Chief Wole Oke (1979-1983); it was a particularly good period in the history of the House. But the way this House is going now, I cant see them recording any success. It is truly the House of Decoration.

Dont you see in the present speaker a versatile legislator who has ensured peace in the House?

I dont have any respect for the present leadership of the kwara state House of Assembly. In fact, I see the leadership as something that do not care for the people. The speaker comes from the most backward part of the state in terms of the economy, infrastructure and even education. The only thing that can promote his relevance is how much he has done to alleviate the problems of his people. He is fortunate to be at the Assembly where Billions of Naira come into the House. He is number three citizen in the state today. But what has he done, for instance in the areas of Agriculture where his people ordinarily should have excelled? I am not asking him to favour my people but at least he comes from somewhere. What has he done to better the lots of the people of his area. The leadership is very weak. He should change his style so as not to regret later.

Are you satisfied with the performance of your representative at the House?

As for me, he knows and everybody also knows that the man is not giving us any quality representation. What battle, for example has he fought for us since his assumption of office? During the budget debate, he will never speak for his constituency. Hes never said anything whether to better the lots of kwarans or his people. It is as if we have nobody to represent us and we believe that he is not representing anybody.

Apart from the budgetary issue, perhaps you would have rated him higher on other areas?

Not at all. A good legislator must constantly brief his constituency. That is another area in which he has failed.