By Fawaz Adebisi
The seemingly discord between Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State House of Assembly has reportedly reached a crescendo as the legislators moments ago rejected 15 of the 36 names sent to the assembly for clearance into the state executive council.
The Lagos Assembly led by Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa made a very bold statement , on Wednesday, during its plenary session, as they refused to clear almost half of the nominees sent to the house by the governor.
BlackBox Nigeria learnt that crisis began when the governor reportedly refused to carry the legislators along in the selection of the nominees, many of whom are perceived to be loyalists of the governor.
It is no surprise that key cabinet members of the last tenure like Sam Egube, Aramide Adeyoye, Solape Hammon amongst others were not cleared by the assembly.
In a recent development, the State House of Assembly rejected 17 of the nominees as it confirmed only 22 out of the 39 commissioner nominees submitted by the governor for approval.
It was discovered that those with strong political backings in the state easily scaled through the parliamentary huddle.
These include, Tunbosun Alake; whose father is President Tinubu’s strong ally and newly sworn-in minister, Dele Alake, Bisola Ruth Olusanya; whose father is a former two time commissioner in the state and former Vice Chairman of the APC, Kaoli Olusanya and Mr. Adedayo Alebiosu, who is the son of Lagos APC leader and GAC member, Otunba Busira Alebiosu.
Among others are; Hon. Layode Ibrahim, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, Hon. Bola Olumegbon, Mr. Idris Aregbe, Mr. Moruf Akinderu Fatai, Mr. Kayode Bolaji-Roberts, Engr. Abiola Olowu, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya, Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, Dr. Jide Babatunde, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, Mr. Abdulkabir Ogungbo.
However, disappointment was felt among those whose names faced rejection. Notable figures like; Prof. Akin Abayomi, Mr. Yomi Oluyomi, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose, Ms. Barakat Bakare, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, Engr. Olalere Odusote, Dr. Rotimi Fashola, Mrs. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, Mr. Sam Egube, Mr. Olalekan Fatodu, Mrs. Solape Hammond, Mr. Mosopefolu George, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, Mr. Seun Osiyemi, Mr. Rotimi Ogunwuyi, Dr. Olumide Oluyinka, were among the nominees whose appointments were denied.
Mr. Speaker, addressing the media after the confirmation process, stated, “We will continue to do our job, we will continue to do our oversight function.”
The Speaker’s words underlined the assembly’s commitment to its responsibilities in scrutinizing appointments and ensuring the best interests of the state.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has therefore adjourned its session until the 28th of August, giving time for further deliberations and decisions regarding the nominees.
