A political storm is brewing in Ondo State as the Social Democratic Party (SDP) launched a scathing critique of State Attorney General Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, accusing him of abandoning his constitutional duties in favor of becoming a “propaganda machinery” for the executive branch.
The controversy centers around the Finance Commissioner’s recent failure to appear before the State House of Assembly, a decision the Attorney General allegedly attempted to justify. This has sparked a heated debate about the separation of powers and the role of key government officials in Nigeria’s democratic system.
“The office of the Attorney General should be focused on upholding the constitution, not explaining away potential constitutional crises,” stated Oyeniyi Iwakun, the State Publicity Secretary for the SDP, in a strongly worded press release issued Friday.
At the heart of the dispute is the question of legislative oversight. The SDP argues that a summons from the House of Assembly is not optional and cannot simply be delegated to a Permanent Secretary, regardless of scheduling conflicts. The party views the Attorney General’s defense of this action as a dangerous precedent that undermines the legislature’s constitutional authority.
The SDP’s public condemnation highlights growing concerns about the erosion of checks and balances in state governance.
“When an Attorney General becomes an administration’s chief apologist, it compromises the entire system of checks and balances,” the SDP statement emphasized, reflecting fears about the concentration of power within the executive branch..
As this political drama unfolds, many residents are left wondering about the impact on governance and public service delivery in Ondo State. The SDP has promised to “vigilantly monitor this dangerous trend,” suggesting that this controversy may be far from over.
