Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Ogun State House of Assembly has formally denied circulating claims that lawmakers were paid to secure alternative housing ahead of the planned demolition of the legislative quarters at Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, part of the state government’s broader urban renewal programme. Officials emphasised that no payment or special allocation has been made to legislators for personal relocation in anticipation of the demolition.
The denial was issued by Speaker Daisi Elemide, who addressed the issue during a media briefing. The Speaker clarified that while the Assembly supports the objective of replacing the existing 46-year-old quarters with modern residential facilities that could add economic value to the state, none of the lawmakers have received funds specifically for relocation or alternative accommodation. He stressed that they remain tenants of the quarters and have not been compensated or provided with housing allowances as alleged. Instead, the lawmakers have requested that the government provide hotel accommodation or alternative residences for them once demolition begins, as a matter of courtesy and logistics during the interim period of redevelopment.
Elemide, speaking at the Assembly Complex in Abeokuta, also reiterated the legislature’s ongoing cooperation with the executive branch, noting that the state government announced the demolition and reconstruction of the quarters as part of its Urban and Housing Renewal Master Plan intended to modernise obsolete infrastructure and improve public safety and administrative efficiency. However, he emphasised that no advance payment or special housing fund has been allocated to lawmakers in connection with this redevelopment.
In addition to addressing the housing claims, the Speaker used the occasion to highlight legislative achievements under his leadership, including the passage of multiple bills and resolutions focused on governance and community development. Despite his clarification, concerns among the public and civic commentators over transparency in urban renewal spending and official communication persist, underscoring the need for clear engagement with residents on how redevelopment initiatives will be funded and executed.
The Assembly’s statement aims to quell misinformation and reinforce that lawmakers were not pre-emptively paid or given housing funds related to the demolition exercise, countering narratives that suggested otherwise. Efforts to modernise state assets continue, but the legislature maintains that the process will adhere to due process without special financial benefit for individual legislators.
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