The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election, Oloye Bayo Adelabu has urged residents of the State to call on Oyo state government-led by Governor Seyi Makinde to retrieve and return salaries paid to Former Caretaker chairmen to state coffers.
Oloye Adelabu stated this on Friday after the Supreme Court nullified the sack of local government Chairmen in the state by Governor Makinde.
He also urged the state government to suspend all activities concerning the May 22 local government election in the state.
“I want to use this opportunity to congratulate the leadership of Oyo state ALGON, All chairmen and Councilors and our dear party APC for this well deserved victory just pronounced in the Supreme Court judgement this morning.
“The judgement today by the supreme court has vindicated us all and has also validated you as duly elected representatives of the people. I thank you for towing the path of law and justice and for eschewing violence in the face of provocation during this period.
“The judgement has also shown that the two years struggle against your unlawful dismisal is a just cause. This is a victory for the rule of law, a victory for democracy and a victory for all our people at the local level who have suffered immensely due to this abuse of power by the State Government.”
He said the judgment served as an important lesson for the Government of the day in Oyo state.
“Firstly, development at the local level has been stifled due to this unncessary dismisal and disregard for the rule law in the last two years. The people of the state, most importantly the ones in rural areas have been left to bear the brunt of the ill thought out decision and reckless abuse of power by the PDP government.
“Secondly, in this current economic climate with paucity of funds, the Government will now have to pay duplicate salaries as instructed by the supreme court. This must be fully paid to the chairmen and councilors without delay as expressly instructed by the Supreme court. It is however important that all well meaning indigenes and residents of the state call on the government to immediately request for the refund of salaries paid to the current usurpers back to the coffers of government, because it is not only illegal but also fraudulent as deduced from the judgement of the supreme court.
“Thirdly, now that the case is over and judgement has been given, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) should desist from going ahead with the scheduled May 22nd local government elections and consider a postponement, in order to give APC candidates ample time to register, prepare and participate in the elections as this was practically impossible whilst the court case was ongoing. This is not only fair and logical but necessary to avert possible litigations and rancour that may stem from continuation with the announced election timeline by OYSIEC.”
In a democractic settings, Adelabu said a level playing ground must be ensured by unbias umpire for any election.
“This will help prevent future litigations and further hardships for the people.”
