The Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Legislative Council in Ogun State has lifted the suspension earlier placed on its Executive Chairman, Wasiu Lawal, following the intervention of the state’s Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, and other leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development came after Lawal complied with the council’s directive by presenting the local government’s income and expenditure account to the legislators.
Leader of the House, Mutairu Gbadamosi, confirmed during Friday’s plenary that the decision to lift the suspension was made in the interest of peace, stability, and progress of the local government.
In a statement released on Saturday, Gbadamosi explained that the council’s initial decision to suspend Lawal was taken in line with its constitutional oversight duties on transparency, accountability, and administrative conduct.
He added that the reconciliation was achieved through the mediation efforts of party leaders including Deputy Governor Salako-Oyedele; House of Representatives member, Tunji Akinosi; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sessan Fagbayi; Lai Taiwo; Kazeem Salako; and the APC Local Government Chairman, J.J. Akeran.
“Their fatherly and motherly guidance led to mutual understanding. In view of the chairman’s compliance with our key resolution, this Honourable House has resolved to lift his suspension,” Gbadamosi stated.
Following the resolution, the Acting Chairman, Abosede Balogun, formally handed over the council’s affairs back to Lawal in the presence of the mediating party leaders.
“This marks a return to normalcy and a renewed commitment to collective service,” Gbadamosi added, while assuring that the legislative council would continue to uphold accountability, transparency, and good governance in partnership with the executive.
Lawal’s suspension had been announced earlier in the week after councillors accused him of insubordination, negligence, and financial misconduct, including failure to submit the council’s income and expenditure account as required under the Ogun State Local Government Law 2000 (as amended).
With the latest development, both the legislative and executive arms of the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government have restored their working relationship, ending weeks of administrative tension.
