The Oyo State Scout Council has countered the National body over the suspension of the “Acting” State Scout Commissioner (SSC), Mr Adetunji Adepeju.
The state scout council described the national body’s action as illegal and against its constitution.
In a rejoinder made available to InsideOyo.com on Monday, the State Council said the Chief Commissioner and National Executive Commissioner who signed the letter of suspension do not have the rights to unilaterally appoint nor suspend a State Official without following due process.
“The crux of the issue is the illegal investiture of the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Honourable Justice Munta Ladipo Abimbola, as the State President of Oyo State Scout Council on Friday, February 12, 2021 without following laid down rules and constitutional provisions of our Council by a delegation of the Chief Commissioner who sneaked in and out of Ibadan on the said day, without the knowledge of the sitting President nor the sitting State Scout Commissioner.”
The Council said appointment into office in Oyo State Scout Council is regulated by law, ‘that is, the adopted Constitution in use since 1991.’
“Neither our Mr. Obafunso Ogunkeye, our President, nor Mr. Adetunji Adepeju, the State Scout Commissioner, was picked or elected by Scout Leaders and Scouts in Oyo State into the positions without justification.
“The two personalities have paid their dues, spanning over 30 years in Oyo State Scout Council and therefore deserve no humiliation nor be hounded out of office by some political Scouts at the National level and one or two accomplices in Oyo State who are more concerned and ambitious for positions they do not deserve, with no consideration for the welfare of the boys and girls,” the statement reads in part.
Last week, InsideOyo.com had reported the Oyo State Acting State Scout Commissioner (SSC)’s suspension.
It was contained in a letter written to him by the National Executive Commissioner, Engr. BOA Oyetayo MNSE.
According to the letter, Mr Adepeju was said to have been suspended for a deliberate act of insubordination and double standards to create chaos, lawlessness and acrimony within the Nigerian Scout community in Oyo State and beyond.
In its rejoinder, the Oyo State Scout Council did not deny the “acting” commissioner’s suspension but described it as illegal and unconstitutional.
It also accused InsideOyo.com for reporting the suspension as contained in a letter obtained by the medium.