Ibadan, Nigeria
The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebowale Ogundoyin, has revealed that he was offered money as part of an alleged plan to impeach Governor **Seyi Makinde** — but he said he rejected the offer immediately.
Ogundoyin made this known while speaking to journalists, a statement that has now stirred fresh political tension in Oyo State and raised questions about what may be happening behind the scenes.
Even though there is no official impeachment process going on right now, the Speaker’s statement has sparked serious discussions about loyalty, political ambition, and power moves within the state.
According to Ogundoyin, he was approached with money during a political meeting, but he refused to be involved in anything that could destabilise the state government.
“I was offered monetary inducement, but I declined without hesitation because no amount of money can buy my conscience or compromise my loyalty to the Governor, the party, and the people we were elected to serve,” he said.
He also made it clear that he has no intention of supporting any move to remove the governor.
“I remain fully committed to upholding the integrity of this House and will not be part of any agenda aimed at destabilising the government,” he added.
The controversy started after reports surfaced that Ogundoyin attended a meeting involving two well-known political figures:
Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State
Florence Ajimobi, wife of late former governor Abiola Ajimobi
The meeting quickly raised eyebrows, with some people speculating that it was part of a plan to begin impeachment moves against Governor Makinde.
But Ogundoyin said that interpretation is not correct.
According to him, the meeting was not only about politics. He explained that part of his visit was to seek blessings and guidance for his own political future — something that is common in Nigerian politics, where leaders often consult elders and influential figures.
In a quick reaction, Florence Ajimobi denied any involvement in an impeachment plot or any attempt to offer money to influence lawmakers.
In a statement from her media office, she described the claims as false and harmful to her reputation.
She also denied reports that she hosted or attended any meeting — whether in Lagos or anywhere else — where plans were discussed to pressure lawmakers to remove Governor Makinde.
Her response adds another angle to the situation, as both sides are now giving different explanations of what happened.
Under Nigeria’s Constitution, impeachment is not something that just happens overnight.
It follows a strict legal process under Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution.
For a governor to be removed:
Lawmakers must first submit a formal written allegation
The Assembly must support the move
An independent investigative panel must be set up
Evidence must be examined
A final vote must be taken
Without following these steps, no impeachment can stand legally.
So for now, there is no official move to impeach Governor Makinde.
Even though nothing official has started, political watchers say the Speaker’s statement may be a sign that political positioning has already begun in Oyo State.
In Nigeria, impeachment talks — even rumours — often point to deeper political struggles such as: Internal disagreements within a party, shifting alliances, early planning ahead of elections.
Sometimes, these moves start quietly before becoming more visible as elections get closer.
Oyo State is one of the most politically important states in southwestern Nigeria.
Governor Seyi Makinde, who came into office under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has maintained a relatively stable government so far.
However, like many states, politics in Oyo involves different powerful figures and interests.
People like Rashidi Ladoja still hold strong influence, while political structures linked to past administrations — including that of late former governor Abiola Ajimobi — are still active.
Because of this, meetings between political heavyweights are not unusual, especially as politicians begin to prepare for future elections.
Analysts say the combination of: High-level meetings, claims of money being offered, public denials from key figures suggests that political actors may already be testing loyalties and forming alliances behind the scenes.
Even though nothing concrete has happened yet, such developments often signal early stages of political realignment.
For now, Ogundoyin’s strong statement rejecting the alleged bribe appears to have reduced fears of any immediate impeachment move against Governor Makinde.
With both the Speaker and Florence Ajimobi denying any organised plot, attention will now turn to whether:
New evidence emerges, more political actors speak out, or the issue quietly fades away
For people living in Oyo State, the main concern remains governance and stability.
While politicians continue their discussions and alignments, citizens are more focused on:
Service delivery, Economic conditions, Security and development
Political drama is not new in Nigeria, and many such situations either die down quickly or grow into bigger battles depending on how events unfold.
Right now, there is no active impeachment process against Governor Seyi Makinde.
But the Speaker’s revelation has opened a window into the kind of political moves that often happen quietly before becoming public.
In Nigerian politics, the real battles are sometimes fought long before people begin to see them clearly.
For now, the situation in Oyo remains calm — but it is definitely one to watch in the coming weeks and months.