Osun APM: Constituents set to recall assembly speaker over threat to monarch

Adewale Adebayo, chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Osun, says residents of Odo-Otin state constituency will begin the process to recall Adewale Egbedun, speaker of the house of assembly, over an alleged threat to a traditional ruler in his hometown.

Egbedun, who represents Odo-Otin, came under public scrutiny last week after a leaked audio recording surfaced, in which he was purportedly heard threatening to beat, arrest, and kill Isaac Oyewale, the Alasi of Asi.

The speaker was allegedly speaking to one of the monarch’s wives in the audio clip, which has since gone viral and sparked outrage across Osun.

In a statement on Monday, Adebayo said the leaked conversation confirmed growing concerns about Egbedun’s temperament and his pattern of behaviour, adding that constituents in Odo-Otin have lost confidence in his representation.

“We have prepared a notification letter to be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by Monday on the recall process,” he said.

“I am from that constituency and I can tell you that we have lost confidence in Egbedun’s representation long ago, but the recent threat on the life of his hometown king is the last straw that breaks the camel’s back.”

Adebayo said the speaker’s conduct had consistently embarrassed the people of Odo-Otin, citing multiple incidents in the past.

“You will recall that he prevented police from arresting fraudsters — the videos are on social media. He led his security to physically assault a court bailiff and a lawyer. His representation has brought shame on us,” he said.

According to him, the recall process is set to begin on August 4, with constituents mobilised across the ward levels to gather signatures and submit documentation to INEC.

“We are starting the process of his recall from tomorrow. We are all ready in Odo-Otin state constituency to recall him by all legal means. If a lawmaker could threaten the life of a revered traditional ruler of his own hometown, then none of us is safe,” Adebayo said.