Embattled Ogun LG Chairman tackles monarchs demanding his removal

The embattled Caretaker Chairman of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area in Ogun State, Femi Onanuga, on Tuesday, described call for his removal from office by the traditional rulers in the council as politically motivated.

The monarchs, last Friday, asked the House of Assembly to remove Onanuga from office over alleged arrogance and disrespect to the traditional institution.

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The monarchs described him as unfit to occupy the position owing to his “disrespect” to the monarchs, some of who he had allegedly insulted severally.

Daily Trust reports that Onanuga’s tenure extension has been suspended by the House of Assembly following petitions written against him by the people of the LGA.

But the embattled LG boss told journalists in Abeokuta on Tuesday that the monarchs were sponsored by his political adversary.

Onanuga, who denied disrespecting the traditional rulers, noted that he held the monarchs and all other stakeholders in their respective councils in high esteem.

He explained that he had publicly apologised to the traditional rulers, stressing that the petition written to the Assembly against him was sponsored by his opponents in the All Progressives Congress.

The assembly summoned him to clear himself of the allegations levelled against him by the monarchs.

But Onanuga said: “I told the lawmakers that I have no reason to be arrogant, disrespectful to my Obas in my territory as a Yoruba man.

“I hold culture in high esteem but all these allegations that are levied against me are very clearly incidental to the performance of my function as council chairman of Ogun waterside local government.

“I told the Assembly that, since the breakdown of communication between me and these Kabieyesis, we have taken a lots of steps.

“I suspected that it is more to the common eye.

“They were being probably influenced by my political enemies, but I told the House that I am not going to join issues with my royal fathers; I respect them so much and I further told them that I have high interpersonal relationship with my royal fathers.

“In the first instance, they don’t want me to come in but with the benevolence of Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, I came in as chairman.

“I was a three-year executive chairman before now.

“At the end of former governor Amosun’s administration, I decided that I am not going with APM that I am a party man.

“I believe in APC.

“I said I am not going with APM which led to my unlawful suspension.

“Because of my support for Dapo Abiodun, the governor made up his mind to compensate me back but some of my political adversaries never wanted me to be, but our Governor is a man of his words, I was returned.

“This made them to be grumbling that my tenure is getting longer.

“They want to mess up with me so that they can put their person there.

“I have told the House of Assembly that I have apologised publicly that I have no reason to disrespect my royal fathers.”