MEMBERS of the Ogun State House of Assembly have apologised to the citizens of the state for their conduct during the plenary session on Tuesday, which turned into pandemonium. It will be recalled that there was confusion in the chamber when the Speaker, Honourable Suraj Ishola Adekunbi, purportedly suspended four lawmakers for what he described as un-parliamentary behaviour and gross disrespect to the legislative institution.
Worried by the development, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, on Wednesday morning, summoned an emergency meeting with the warring groups to settle the crisis.
The meeting, which lasted for about three hours, had in attendance all the 26 member lawmakers, the Senior Special Adviser on Political Matters, Honourable Tunji Egbetokun and top government functionaries.
The governor, who apologised on behalf of the lawmakers, said the state could not afford to descend so low, considering the giant strides recorded by the likes of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo; former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, among many other notable citizens of the state.
Amosun said, “I want to apologise on behalf of the House of Assembly to the good people of Ogun State and lovers of democracy. This is Ogun State, the home of the Awolowos, Soyinka and so many of these giants, so we cannot afford to descend so low. We are sorry.
“There can be no befitting birthday gift than this to the sage, Chief Awolowo. They are the ones that have laboured selflessly for all of us. I think this is a perfect birthday gift for Papa Awolowo and respect for others who have laboured to place Ogun on an enviable height in the context of the Nigeria nation.”
Ishola and Honourable Remmy Hazzan, who spoke with newsmen after the closed door meeting held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, admitted their disgraceful acts and begged the people of the state for forgiveness.
Earlier, the suspended lawmakers were prevented from gaining entry into the premises of the assembly complex by detachment of policemen and men of the State Security Service (SSS).
However, while they were making effort to gain access into the complex, they received a call from the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, asking them to attend a meeting at the Governor’s Office.
Meanwhile, moves by the House of Representatives to wade into the crisis rocking the Ogun assembly sharply divided the ranks of the lawmakers, as some of them insisted that the House should exercise caution, while others claimed that the House has the right to intervene.
However, after tensed debate, it was resolved that the Inspector General of Police, Mr M. D. Abubakar, should ensure there was peace and order in the assembly.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Add A Comment