Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday reinstated 13 local government and local council development area caretaker chairmen. They were initially suspended.
The decision was taken after the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters read by its Chairman, Olusegun Popoola.
It will be recalled that the Oyo State Forum of Caretaker Chairmen had in a letter begged the House to forgive the suspended chairmen and return them to their councils.
The affected chairmen in the committee report said the #Endsars protest, which rocked the country, prevented them from gaining access to the House of Assembly to submit the report of earth moving equipment as directed and consequently tendered their unreserved apology to the House.
Some of them also claimed to have submitted the report to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters since the circular requesting submission of the report came through the ministry.
The report has now been submitted by the caretaker chairmen as attested to in the House Committee report presented by Popoola.
Lifting the suspension order, Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin said the request was for the Assembly to know the condition of equipment, as many of the roads in the council areas required grading.
According to the Speaker, the House will not relent in its resolve to ensure good governance, defend democracy and support efforts of the governor to bring democratic dividends to the people.
Ogundoyin said: “Our decision was not to witch-hunt any council or caretaker chairman. We are determined to deliver good governance at all times and I want government functionaries to have that in mind.
“We are satisfied with the performance of Governor Seyi Makinde. We will be going on oversight functions to the local governments and local council development areas soon to monitor their projects.
“Let it be known today that the Oyo State House of Assembly will always stand on the side of the people. We shall not compromise on good governance.”
The Assembly thereafter unanimously agreed on the reinstatement of the 13 caretaker chairmen.