By Abdul Razaq Ibrahim
Having secured nine lawmakers in the 26-Ogun State House of Assembly membership, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate in the last general elections, Gboyega Isiaka have declared that PDP legislators would oppose any anti-people bills as well as motions that seek to promote selfish agenda on the floor of the House.
Mr Isiaka and Chief Adebayo Dayo, Ogun State Chairman of PDP, who spoke at a reception held for PDP lawmakers at the party secretariat in Abeokuta on Monday, maintained that “bills considered as anti-people and aimed at promoting personal interests would be at variance with the interest of the PDP and must therefore be blocked.”
Sundiata Post reports that PDP lawmakers in State House of Assembly include Wale Alausa, Jemili Akingbade, Bowale Solaja, Oyenuga Olufowobi, Jimi Otukoya, Adebowale Ojo, Sesan Soyebo, Rasaq Oduntan and Folakemi Akintayo.
According to Isiaka, the opposition party lawmakers should always promote issues that border on the welfare of the people, saying: “this opportunity to serve your constituencies is a call to service. You must see yourselves as eyes and ears of the people to better their lot.
“Any bill that seeks to promote the interest and wellbeing of our people should be wholeheartedly supported by all. But if it is not, if it is to promote personal agenda or personal interest, I think that will not be in our interest and I want to enjoin you to do what is necessary on that.”
Mr. isiaka, who described the loss of the PDP at the last general elections as temporary setback, said the party would bounce back ahead of the 2019 general elections. He, however, admonished PDP members in the state against “fanning the embers of discord”, particularly among the party leaders.
He said, “I still believe that our situation is just a setback not outright failure. What happened was just a lesson. But I want to appeal to you that if there are some leaders who have disagreement among themselves, it is not our duty to add to that.
“If we cannot solve problems or challenges or rivalry or fight between two leaders, please don’t let us add to it. Let’s find a way of resolving it. At the end of the day, I believe that we all belong to the same family. So, when there are issues, don’t let us contribute to it. I appeal to members of the party to allow progress and development to continue in our party.”
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Meanwhile, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has pledged non-interference in legislative matters, saying he would uphold principle of seperation of powers and checks and balances in order to allow lawmakers to perform legislative functions without prejudice and favour
Whiile inaugurating 8th legislature of Ogun State House of Assembly in Abeokuta on Monday, the governor noted that although, the executive and legislative arms of government requires synergy for good governance and improved development, the executive should not treat the legislature as rubber stamp in any matter relating to government and governance.
He said, “We have to jointly serve our people under a practicable and realistic principle of separation of powers and checks and balances. The expectation of our people is high. We all must realize that the man on the street does not distinguish between the Executive and the Legislative arms of Government.
“All that our dear people recognise and know is the Government of Ogun State and what matters to them is prompt service delivery and excellent project execution. It behoves on us, therefore, that we cooperate and support one another. This requires a synergy between all arms of Government without necessarily impeding on each other’s rights, duties and processes.
“We must meet the yearning and aspirations of our people. We need not refrain from telling each other the truth, when the need arises.We must realize the fact that the work on our hands in this new tenure is more than that of the last four years. Honourable Members, the beauty of democracy is for each of the three arms of Government to work with some independence towards a common people oriented goal.
“We should acknowledge that fostering a cordial relationship between all arms of Government is the essential ingredient for achieving accelerated development in our State. Honourable Members of the House, I wish to assure you all of my determination to create, nurtured and sustain a relationship between the Executive and other arms of Government.”
Earlier, the 26-House members, including 17 APC members and nine PDP members re-elected Suraj Adekunbi, representing Egbado North I State Constituency as Speaker of the 8th legislature and elected Olakunle Oluomo, representing Ifo I State Constituency as Deputy-Speaker respectively.
They also elected Adeyinka Mafe from Sagamu I State Constituency as Majority Leader; Wale Alausa from People’s Democratic Party, representing Ijebu-Ode State Constituency as Minority Leader; Idowu Olowofuja representing Abeokuta South II State Constituency as Chief Whip; Adewale Ojuri representing Odogbolu State Constituency as APC Whip, while Akingbade Jemili representing Imeko-Afon State Constituency as PDP Whip.
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