Mace ‘Stolen’ As Ogun LG Legislature’s Inauguration Ends In Fiasco

There was a mild drama on Thursday during the inauguration of the legislative arm of Abeokuta North Local Government Area in Ogun State as some youths reportedly acting under the direction of the Council Chairman, Lanre Oyegbola, seized the mace.

It was gathered that Moruf Erubami was sworn in unopposed as the Speaker of the House; however, turmoil ensued when councillors demanded the election of additional principal officers through a voting process.

Naija News understands that Oyegbola, who was recently sworn in alongside 19 other elected council chairmen by Governor Dapo Abiodun, was present at the event held at the council Secretariat in Akomoje, Abeokuta.

However, sources told newsmen that tensions escalated when the 16-member assembly split into two factions, with nine members opposing seven.

It was reported that shortly after the Speaker was honoured and delivered his acceptance speech, police officers assigned to the council chairman began firing shots indiscriminately outside the chambers.

Subsequently, youths loyal to the chairman allegedly stormed the legislative chambers and made off with the mace, creating a state of disarray.

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other attendees at the event reportedly fled for their safety.

Erubami, representing Ward 15, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust and placed the blame squarely on the council chairman.

“We could not conclude the inauguration because they carted away with the mace and dropped it inside the chairman’s patrol vehicle.

“The chairman supported my emergence as the Speaker but there was a disagreement over the other principal officers. Members insisted that they must vote to elect other officers.

“But the chairman didn’t want an election to take place, he wanted his men to emerge. We are legislators and we have the prerogative to elect who we want as our leaders.

“The house is divided nine members against seven. The chairman is supporting the group of seven. That’s why they didn’t want voting to take place because they know we have the number,” Daily Trust quoted Erubami saying.

According to the media, attempts to get a response from the chairman were unsuccessful, as multiple calls made to his mobile phone went unanswered.

Additionally, he did not reply to text messages or WhatsApp communications as of the time of filing this report.

Also, when contacted, his media aide, Oluwakayode Ajibola, stated, “I am unable to speak with you at the moment, as I am currently in a meeting.”