Alleged Nepotism: My daughter, nephew qualified for appointments, says Oloriegbe

By Mumini AbdulKareem

From Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe came a comprehensive response to
the allegation of nepotism leveled against him by critics over the
purported appointment of his daughter and nephew as his personal
staff.
Oloriegbe, was elected senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial
district at the National Assembly during the last National Assembly
election in the state.
The issue has gone viral in many online media platforms accusing him
of favouring his daughter with the position of his Chief of Staff
(CoS) and nephew, Muhammed Shagaya as Senior Legislative Aide (SLA).
But the senator who hails from Alore, Ogidi ward in Ilorin West Local
Government Area described the report as unfounded and challenged
anyone with contrary information to publish any letter of such
appointment adding that “I have not made any appointment so far”
Speaking further, Oloriegbe said there is no law that forbids him from
appointing anybody from his constituency qualified for appointment
whether they are his relations or not.
Hear him: “I have not made appointment of any aide and NASS is yet to
ask us to appoint anybody. As a senator who is not a principal
officer, I am not entitled to appoint Chief of Staff whether
officially or unofficially. Only the Senate President can do that. I
have not appointed anybody and there is no appointment letter to that
effect. No House of Reps or senator has done that, you can find out
from the National Assembly.
“We have not settled down so how can we appoint aides. My daughter is
a lawyer and she has her Masters in law with certificate in
arbitration with chambers and business of her own. I can send her
errands and ask her to compile things for me and maybe those who saw
that are the ones insinuating but she is not appointed anything. In
her right she is an Ilorin person, married to Ilorin in Alanamu and
she has the right and requisite qualification to be anything. But I
have not appointed her. Why should people insinuate what is not
there,” he added.
On the issue of his nephew, Oloriegbe said the family is well known in
Ilorin and Shagaya has the right to aspire for anything he wants to
adding that “If at all I am appointing which I have not, I am not
bringing foreigner to come and take any position. People that are
insinuating this should understand that my people voted for me and if
they are qualified, they can be anything. It does not mean because I
am a senator my daughter or nephew cannot be anything so long as they
have the criteria which is that they must be from my constituency and
must be qualified and competent. My only guide is equity and fairness
in the distribution of things accordingly.
“Let me also say that aides are not political appointments but
personal staff of senators and I want to use this opportunity to
assure our people that while I have not made any appointment now, I
can assure that the four local governments under my jurisdiction,
Ilorin West, South, East and Asa, will be well taken care of when the
time comes on the issue of appointments. The allegation is from
critics who were hurt from the previous government. I don’t have
anything to hide; I am a public person and committed to the
development of my community. Initially I refused to make any release
regarding the issue but when you called, I have to oblige you. I
challenge anybody to publish any letter of the so-called appointments.
There is FOI bill now, they can go to the National Assembly to make
their findings. People that will work with me must be from my
constituency. The allegation is unfounded and just busy body talk”,
Oloriegbe submitted.