Hundreds of the All Progressives Congress (APC) members
from Kabba/Bunu constituency of Kogi State, on Sunday disowned Hon. Mathew Ojo
Kolawole for mobilizing his loyalists to recall Senator Dino Melaye from the
Senate.
Recall that Melaye alleged that Governor Yahaya Bello has
released N200m for the ongoing move to recall him.
Melaye, whose convoy was at the weekend briefly blocked
by some protesting youths who clapped and repeatedly chanted ‘Dino, ole
(thief)’, has boasted that the recall will fail.
Kabba/Bunu APC youths, have, however, warned Kolawale,
Majority leader of the Kogi House
of Assembly, to stop mobilising youths against the
Senator and “face his dwindling political career.”
The youths have also written to the Resident Electoral
Commissioner, Kogi State and Resident Electoral Officer, Kabba/Bunu Local
Government, requesting recall forms for the removal of Kolawole.
In the letter, their spokesman, Michael Adekunle, said: “In
pursuance to section 110A and B of the 1999 constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which empowers mandate givers to recall their
member of House of Assembly whose activities fall short of expectations and not
a promise keeper; we write to request for forms; to initiate process to recall
Hon. Mathew kolawole, Member of Kogi State House of Assembly (KGSHA)
representing Kabba/Bunu Constituency.”
“Some of the reasons responsible for our intention to invoke
the recall clause bordered on insensitivity, lack of constant report of
activities of the house to its constituency, failure on oversight functions and
sundry behaviour unbefitting of a lawmaker.”
The constituents, who later on Sunday stormed the state
secretariat of the in Lokoja, stated that Kolawole’s days in the state’s
legislature were numbered.
One of their leaders, Oladele Ojo, noted that majority of
APC members in Kabba and Bunu were convinced that Kolawole was being induced
by powerful forces to lead recall of Dino Melaye.
His words: “It is a gross unethical misconduct for a
prominent member of the APC like him to make such a declaration on Senator Dino
Melaye. If not for anything, they belong to the same party. If we allow
Kolawole to go scot free, that would set a bad precedent and spell doom for APC
in the future,”
“As far as I know, Kolawole cannot boast or claim to have
executed constituency project that were worth N5m. For the past two years he
has execute a single project in his constituency. Recalling him is the way
out; e see no reason why he should be addressed as our representative,” he
said.
In his remarks, Kogi APC Chairman, Alhaji Hadi Ametuo,
hinted that the youths’ allegations against Kolawole would be investigated.
“We will act as requested by thousands of the constituents.
You have voted him into power, he betrayed you and you disowned him. The
leadership of the party will ensure that every action of misconduct must be
thoroughly probed,” he assured.
Recall that Melaye and Ametuo held a joint briefing in Abuja where they asked Governor Bello to resign or be impeached over accusation that he engaged in multiple voter’s registration
Recall that Melaye and Ametuo held a joint briefing in Abuja where they asked Governor Bello to resign or be impeached over accusation that he engaged in multiple voter’s registration
By Wale Odunsi
