Oyo Govt. Proposes Settlement Towards Resolution of LG Crisis

The Oyo State Government has proposed a term of settlement with the embattled elected Local Government Chairmen in the state, in other to find a solution to the crisis currently rocking the Local Government.

Counsel to the state government, Dr. Akin Onigbinde SAN, in a case filed by the government against the Chairmen, stated this while briefing the High Court in Ibadan on the report of the out-of-court settlement proposed by the state government.

At the last mention of the case, the Court gave the parties till today, Friday 21st February to reach an agreement and come up with a resolution, and Dr Onigbinde told the Court that the state government had proposed a term of settlement and forwarded the proposal to counsel to the embattled council chairmen in accordance with its directive. He therefore appealed to the Court to give them another chance for the parties to reach a decision on the proposal.

Confirming the receipt of the proposal, counsel to the embattled chairmen, Mr. Kunle Shobaloju, said he received the proposal yesterday and had forwarded same to his client, but was yet to receive their response. 

Also confirming the receipt of the proposal was the counsel to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Niyi Akintola SAN. However, counsel to the Commissioner of Police in Oyo state, Mrs. Oluwafunke Fawole, and the state chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Kazeem Gbadamosi said they had not received the proposal, and requested a copy.

Responding, presiding Judge, Justice Moshood Abass adjourned the case till March 20 this year for the parties to go back to the round table, and present their report.

Speaking afterwards, Dr. Akin Onigbinde, expressed optimism that the proposal would work, while Mr. Kunle Shobaloju said the chairmen would study the proposal and submit their report. However, on his part, counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation Chief Niyi Akintola said the proposal would not be accepted, describing it as a delaying tactic.

The parties are expected to meet before the adjourned date and present the report of their meeting to the Court.

Sunday Ogunyemi