The Oyo State House of Assembly has rejected the apology of a member representing Saki West State Constituency, Ibrahim Shittu, describing it as “reserved and unremorseful.”

The house said that the apology failed to meet the ethical standards of the legislature.

The majority leader, Sanjo Adedoyin, on January 20, accused a fellow lawmaker, Mr Shittu, of making defamatory and malicious allegations against him and the leadership of the assembly.

Mr Adedoyin, who represents Ogbomoso South, raised the matter as a personal explanation on the floor during the first plenary sitting for 2026 on January 20.

The majority leader described the allegations as a grave infringement on his legislative privileges and a direct attack on his integrity and the institution of the Oyo State House of Assembly.

Mr Adedoyin said the controversy arose from a speech delivered by Mr Shittu during a public programme in Saki Town, which subsequently circulated widely across social media platforms.

Mr Shittu apologised for speaking on what he admitted was inadequate information that brought disrepute to the assembly; lawmakers faulted both the tone and content of his apology.

Presenting the report, Chairman of the Ethics and Privileges Committee, Gbenga Oyekola, said both lawmakers appeared before the committee on January 22.

The committee reviewed legislative instruments, oath of office documents, and the viral video footage, ensuring that due process and principles of natural justice were fully observed.

Mr Oyekola said that Mr Shittu’s statements were reckless, unfounded, and capable of undermining public confidence in the legislature.

The committee found that the allegations lacked credible proof, infringed on the rights and privileges of the majority leader, and brought the house into disrepute.

Lawmakers from both parties contributed to the debate, with Luqman Jimoh, representing Oorelope State Constituency (APC), to which Mr Shittu belongs, apologising on behalf of the party and appealing that the house temper justice with mercy.

In the same vein, Sola Owolabi, representing Ibadan North-East 11 (PDP), also pleaded for leniency.

However, other members in their contributions faulted the apology made by Mr Shittu, describing it as insincere and lacking genuine remorse.

In his remarks, the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, said that Mr Shittu’s meeting with the majority leader was evidence of the leadership’s directive to resolve the issue raised against the former internally.

He affirmed that no additional evidence was produced by the petitioner during the investigation.

The speaker explained that allegations of bribery levelled against the majority leader were scandalous and grave, requiring a formal, unreserved written apology rather than a mere verbal expression before the house.

Mr Ogundoyin ruled that Mr Shittu’s apology be rejected, citing its inadequacy and lack of genuine contrition.

The house thereafter referred the matter back to the Ethics and Privileges Committee for recommendations on appropriate disciplinary action against the lawmaker. 

(NAN)