Barrister Abiodun Aribisala, Founder and CEO of the Aribisala Care Foundation, a respected international tax consultant, and a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijesa North and Osun State, has condemned the recent allegations made against three citizens of Oriade Local Government by Hon. Kanmi Ajibola, the House of Assembly member representing Oriade Local Government.
The condemnation comes after Hon. Ajibola filed a petition against Sodiq Lawal Adewale, a well-known investigative journalist and online editor at Within Nigeria, as well as Tunde Omole and Ogunsanya Olasunkanmi. The petition accuses Lawal and the others of defamation based on their public comments and criticisms of Ajibola.
In his statement, Barrister Aribisala expressed his disappointment with Hon. Ajibola’s decision to file the petition. He argued that as a fellow law practitioner, Ajibola should have considered alternative methods to address the criticisms instead of targeting the citizens he represents. Aribisala emphasized that the lawmaker’s action appears to be a response to his perceived underperformance in the legislative chamber.
“As a representative of the people, it is your duty to welcome feedback, whether it be praise or criticism,” Aribisala stated. “The citizens have the right to demand accountability from their representatives, whether they are performing excellently or otherwise.”
Aribisala further stressed that constructive criticism is a vital aspect of democratic politics and can serve as a valuable tool for politicians to recognize their shortcomings and improve their performance. “Rather than using security personnel to intimidate citizens, lawmakers should see criticism as an opportunity for growth,” he added.
He also called on Hon. Ajibola to prioritize the security and well-being of the citizens he represents and to focus on enacting meaningful legislation.
Barrister Aribisala concluded by appealing to the affected citizens, acknowledging that the petition may be perceived as an attack on their character but encouraging them to remain steadfast in exercising their rights to free speech and holding their representatives accountable.
