The Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Onaolapo Sanjo Adedoyin, has denied allegations of bribery made against him by a colleague, Hon. Ibrahim Shittu, describing the claims as defamatory and a calculated attempt to damage his reputation and the integrity of the legislature.
Hon. Adedoyin, who represents Ogbomoso South Constituency, reacted to the accusations during a personal explanation on the floor of the House at its first plenary session of 2026. He dismissed the allegations as wicked, baseless, and malicious, insisting that they were deliberately crafted to mislead the public.
The allegation stemmed from comments allegedly made by Hon. Shittu, the lawmaker representing Saki West Constituency, during a public programme in Saki Town, where he claimed that Adedoyin had received bribes from the Chairman of Saki West Local Government to influence investigations into alleged misconduct.
In his response, Adedoyin clarified that his involvement in the matter was strictly based on the directive of the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, who instructed him to review petitions submitted against the local government chairman. He stressed that he acted within the bounds of his legislative responsibility and that no evidence existed to substantiate the bribery claims.
He further stated that the remarks did not only target him personally but also cast aspersions on the Speaker and the Special Ad-hoc Committee that carried out oversight activities in Oyo North. According to him, Shittu had failed to participate in the committee’s assignment, a development he described as a recurring neglect of legislative duties.
Adedoyin accused his colleague of engaging in persistent character assassination and spreading falsehoods in a bid to curry favour with constituents instead of focusing on effective lawmaking and governance. He warned that such reckless utterances could provoke public unrest and weaken public confidence in the Assembly.
The House Leader revealed that the allegations had taken a toll on him and his family, noting that the situation had caused psychological and emotional distress. He said he had received disturbing calls from friends and associates, adding that the claims had gravely damaged his public image.
He consequently petitioned the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate the matter in line with the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act, 2017, and the standing rules of the Assembly, stressing the need to protect the dignity of the legislature and deter future misconduct.
Responding, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, cautioned lawmakers against making unnecessary, unfounded, or exaggerated statements capable of misleading the public, creating tension, or undermining the integrity of the House. He urged members to exercise restraint, maintain decorum, and adhere strictly to the rules guiding their conduct.
To ensure due process and safeguard the image of the legislature, the Speaker referred the matter to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges and directed it to conduct a comprehensive investigation and report back to the Assembly within one week.
