Majority Leader accuses colleague of defamation, demands probe
By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju
The Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Sanjo Adedoyin, on Tuesday accused a fellow lawmaker, Mr Ibrahim Shittu, representing Saki West State Constituency, of making defamatory and malicious allegations against him and the leadership of the Assembly.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adedoyin, who represents Ogbomoso South, raised the matter as a personal explanation on the floor during the first plenary sitting for 2026.
The Majority Leader described the allegations as a grave infringement on his legislative privileges and a direct attack on his integrity and the institution of the Oyo State House of Assembly.
Adedoyin said the controversy arose from a speech delivered by Shittu during a public programme in Saki Town, which subsequently circulated widely across social media platforms.
“In that speech, I was falsely accused of offering and receiving bribes from the Chairman of Saki West Local Government to influence or alter the course of an investigation into allegations against him.
“I categorically and unequivocally state that these allegations are baseless, malicious and entirely untrue,” he said.
He said that he merely acted on the directive of the speaker to look into petitions submitted against the local government chairman, insisting that due process was strictly followed.
“For the record, Mr. Speaker directed me to look into the petitions submitted against the chairman, and I dutifully carried out that responsibility.
“The claims of bribery involving the House leadership were “mischievously fabricated to mislead the public for political gains,” he said.
The Majority Leader further alleged that Shittu extended his accusations to the office of the speaker, alleging that the speaker was altering the course of justice due to political party considerations.
“Such insinuations are not only false but dangerous, as they attempt to portray this house as partisan and unjust.
“Let it be firmly stated that the Oyo State House of Assembly has never been involved in political favouritism,” he said.
He also accused the Saki West lawmaker of ridiculing the House Special Ad-hoc Committee that carried out oversight functions in Oyo North.
“Shittu allegedly absented himself from the committee’s assignment.
“His deliberate absence from critical legislative duties speaks volumes about his commitment to the responsibilities entrusted to him by his constituents,” Adedoyin said.
Describing the comments as calculated attempts to embarrass and discredit the Assembly, the Majority Leader noted that the incident was not an isolated one.
“This is not the first time Hon. Shittu has embarked on character assassination, spreading falsehoods and calculated lies against the leadership and institution of this Assembly,” he added.
Adedoyin said the allegations had caused him and his family severe distress.
“My image has been gravely damaged. I have received several disturbing calls from friends and colleagues, while my entire family is presently suffering psychological and emotional trauma as a result of these false allegations,” he said.
He , however, appealed to the speaker to invoke the powers of the House to investigate the matter in line with the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act, 2017, and Order VII of the Assembly’s rules.
“This intervention is necessary not only to protect my personal integrity but also to safeguard the dignity of this house and deter future occurrences of such misconduct,” Adedoyin said.
Reacting to the personal explanation, the Speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, cautioned lawmakers against making unnecessary, unfounded and exaggerated comments capable of igniting tension, misleading the public and undermining the integrity of the legislative institution.
He stressed that members must exercise restraint, uphold decorum and remain guided by the rules of the house in all their public engagements.
“Noting that the legislature must always be seen as a responsible and disciplined institution.
“To safeguard the dignity of the house and ensure that due process is followed
NAN reports that the speaker, however, referred the matter to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges for further legislative action.
He however, directed the committee to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations and report its findings back to the House within one week.
NAN rpeorts that the House thereafter, resolved to await the committee’s report before taking further action on the matter.
