MAKE YOUR CLAIMS ON OATH, LAWYER TELLS LAWMAKERS

Concerned by the lingering crisis in the Ondo State House of Assembly, especially claims and counter-claims by lawmakers over the recent removal of the former Speaker, Mr. Taofeek Abdulsalam, a legal practitioner, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, has asked the legislators to make their statements on oath.

Ajulo, who is also the Chairman of a non-governmental organisation, Egalitarian Mission Africa, made the call in an interview with journalists in Akure, the state capital, on Thursday.

He said the call became necessary because some of the lawmakers had been peddling falsehood deliberately aimed at destabilising the state.

He said if such claims and statements were deposed to in an affidavit, that would enable his organisation to drag the legislators to court for perjury.

He said, 'It is saddening that the issue in the House is not about a bill meant for the betterment of Ondo State people. They are making statements that they know are wrong just because they believe such is part of politics.

'Some of them were part of the process of removing the former Speaker and the election of the new one. They later backed out when they were not favoured to lead the House. Now, they are claiming that their signatures were forged. If they are sure of such statements, let them swear to an affidavit and see if they will not go to jail for perjury.

'Rather than going all the way to Abuja to make inflammatory statements, the court here is closer to them. Let them approach the court.'

Ajulo called on the Ondo State Police Command to take note of the statements, which he claimed were aimed at shattering the peace of the state.

He also faulted a statement credited to Senator Bode Olajumoke that the former Speaker would still return to office.

The lawyer said such a statement was unbecoming of an elderstatesman like Olajumoke.