Supplementary Budget: Ajulo is now Spokesperson for Ondo Finance Commissioner – SDP
The Ondo State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has berated the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, for deviating from his constitutional role as the state’s chief legal officer.
The party in a statement on Saturday by its State Publicity Secretary, Oyeniyi Iwakun, said it was disturbing the Attorney General’s attempting to explain the failure of the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Omowumi Isaac, to honour a summon by the state House of Assembly with regard to the 2024 budget.
The party lampooned Ajulo for turning the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to government’s Public Relations Officer and propaganda machinery for executive.
Iwakun said: “The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State views with grave concern the recent statement by the State Attorney General, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, which demonstrates a troubling deviation from his constitutional role as the state’s chief legal officer.
“It is deeply disturbing that the Attorney General has taken it upon himself to become the administration’s Public Relations Officer, attempting to explain away the Finance Commissioner’s failure to honor a legislative summons and dismissing legitimate concerns about tensions between the executive and legislative branches.
“We must ask: Since when did the office of the Attorney General become a propaganda machinery for the executive branch? The people of Ondo State deserve better than a chief legal officer who spends more time crafting political narratives than upholding the rule of law.
“The Attorney General’s statement, filled with excuses and political platitudes, undermines the principle of separation of powers and legislative oversight. A summons by the House of Assembly is not a mere invitation to be delegated to a Permanent Secretary, regardless of how busy the Commissioner’s schedule may be.
“We call on Dr. Ajulo to remember his sacred duty as Attorney General – to serve as an independent legal officer, not a praise singer or defender of executive actions. The office of the Attorney General should be focused on upholding the constitution, not explaining away potential constitutional crises.
“The SDP reminds the good people of Ondo State that effective governance relies on each office holder staying within their constitutional boundaries. When an Attorney General becomes an administration’s chief apologist, it compromises the entire system of checks and balances.
“We will continue to vigilantly monitor this dangerous trend and speak out against any actions that threaten our democratic principles.”