PRESS RELEASE
HON ADEOYE ARIBASOYE SHOULD BE MINDFUL THAT THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN POLITICS
My attention has been drawn to a recently released press statement credited to my dear brother and colleague in the Ekiti State House of Assembly – Hon, Adeoye Aribasoye and titled “Ekiti State House of Assembly is peaceful, Aribisogan’s impeachment is legal and constitutional.”
I am not concerned with the title of the statement since Hon. Aribasoye is free, in the meantime, to continue to live in denial of the illegality of the impeachment of Rt. Hon Olugboyega Aribisogan. I am positive he will be shaken out of his self-induced delusion very soon. Nevertheless, having regard for the relationship I enjoyed with Hon. Aribasoye over the last three years, I feel constrained to admonish him that life is not all about politics and that there is indeed life after and outside politics.
In his press release, Hon. Aribasoye engaged very uncomplimentary language to refer to the seven Ekiti legal icons who authored a statement addressing the bizarre drama which started with the police invasion of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Complex on Wednesday 16th November, 2022 and culminated in the charade which took place within the hallowed Chamber of the House on Monday, 21st November, 2022. The very senior lawyers led by our highly revered living Ekiti Legend and Bamofin of Yoruba land, Aare Afe Babalola, condemned the purported impeachment of Rt. Hon. Olugboyega Aribisogan and advised the House of Assembly to return to the path of peace, honour and dignity by allowing the legitimately elected Speaker to continue in office
“History would judge the judge who preferred dishonour to honour; indignity to
dignity, perfidy to honesty and infamy to reputation.”
Chief Obafemi Awolowo
without let or hindrance. Alas, Hon. Aribasoye took it upon himself to publicly affront the seven learned silks and impugn their reputations all in the name of politics. Hmmm.
Let me say that there has never been any question about the patriotism and love which every one of the seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria has for Ekiti land. As a matter of fact, it would take several epistles to chronicle their patriotic contributions towards the creation, development, peace, and progress of Ekiti State. They are all very distinguished personalities whose names have already been written in gold in the annals of Ekiti history and indeed, the annals of Nigerian history. There is nothing Hon. Aribasoye, or anybody else for that matter, can say which can diminish the greatness of any one of these icons.
Like I stated earlier, life is not all about politics; there is life after and outside politics. Hon. Aribasoye should remember that the people he is cavorting around to please by being so impetuous have already climbed the ladder of life to heights so high that even when they indulge in ignominious acts, we only wish that they recognise their errors and make amends where possible. Hon. Aribasoye is still on the lower rungs of the ladder of life and has yet a long climb ahead of him. He should be conscious that the name – Adeoye Stephen Aribasoye no longer belongs to him alone but in fact, belongs more to his charming children and their own children who should begin to arrive on this side of the divide within the next two decades. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye should therefore be mindful of enveloping his name in infamy for the sake of his progeny.
“Ábọ́ ọrọ ni an sọ́ ọ fun ọ́mọ́luabi!”
Hon. Adegoke Olajide