Wale Jagun
-Ikorodu rep, others protest exclusion
The Lagos State House of Assembly, has set up a committee to screen the nominations of the Governor Babajide Sanwo – Olu, for the cabinet positions.
The screening committee is chaired by House Chief Whip, Hon. Fatai Mojeed, with the mandate to screen and report back to the House.
The governor had sent a list comprising 39 names to the Assembly last Friday, which has generated so much controversies as different parts of the state, are protesting, either that they are not included or got one slot.
Thursday’s plenary session, thus, provided lawmakers the opportunity to expressed their dissatisfaction at the governor’s list.
Under a ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ earlier, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun, representing the Ikorodu 2, expressed his displeasure at the allocation of one slot to Ikorodu, despite the contributions of the division to the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election.
Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Ademola Richard Kasunmu, lamented the absence of any nominee from Ikeja.
His colleague, Hon. Nureni Akinsanya from Mushin, noted that the list did not come with the local government areas of the nominees. He also argued that the APC has technocrats who were not considered.
His position was supported by Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 2) and Hon. Temitope Adewale, who both urged the Governor to reconsider the nominations.
Reacting to the matter, Hon. Femi Saheed said that as a former secretary of the APC in Lagos, he was aware that the party has technocrats who could be nominated.
While the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. David Setonji, lamented that Badagry was not represented enough, Hon. Ladi Ajomale observed that the list was heavily one-sided in term of religious consideration.
Speaking during the plenary, Rt. Hon. Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa asked the lawmakers to understand that all local government areas in the State cannot produce a commissioner.
Before directing the Clerk of the House, Barrister Olalekan Onafeko, to write the Governor requesting for the nominees’ local government areas, Obasa reminded his colleagues that Governor Sanwo-Olu has the prerogative to nominate those to work with him, while it is the duty of the lawmakers to screen the nominees and confirm if they meet needed requirements.
