The Lagos State House of Assembly on Friday denied any rift with the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, over the screening of commissioners and special advisers nominees forwarded to the House by the governor.
Ambode had forwarded a list of 37 nominees for clearance as commissioners and special advisers to the House, while the lawmakers, in turn, set up a 15-man ad-hoc committee to screen the nominees.
The setting up of the committee was viewed in many quarters as a confirmation of a rift between the lawmakers and the governor, who had stated in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, that the proposed cabinet members would be sworn-in on October 5, 2015.
The alleged rift was further confirmed by the fact that it was the first time the House would set up a committee to screen would-be cabinet members.
However, the chairman of the ad-hoc committee and Deputy Speaker of the House, Wasiu Sanni-Eshilokun, while addressing a press conference at the Assembly complex, said there was no iota of truth in the alleged rift between the executive and legislature in the state.
He said the House, by setting up the committee, was only trying to be thorough, and that it was wrong for people to read meaning into the action of the House.
According to him, Section 101 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empowers the House to regulate its procedure, including the procedure for summoning and recess.
Eshilokun further argued that Section 103 (1) of the Constitution equally empowers the House to appoint a committee of its members to carry out the functions exercisable by the House for any special or general purpose if in its opinion, such committee would better manage or address the function.
“As we speak, we have a perfect relationship with the governor and there is no rift between us. Just recently, we approved the request of the governor for budget re-ordering in record time.
“If we ask the nominees to take a bow and go, the same public will say it is business as usual.
“Let me assure all that we are not planning to witch-hunt the nominees. We do not have any issue or rift with the
governor. It is just that we will not sacrifice excellence on the altar of cordiality,” Eshilokun clarified.
While alluding to constitutional provision in Section 192 (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Eshilokun, who addressed the media briefing in company of other principal officers of the House, said any nominee who is unable to present proof of membership of a political party, would be disqualified automatically.
He also said any nominee without evidence of registration with the Lagos State Resident Registration Agency (LASRA) would be automatically disqualified, and that any nominee who presents fake result or certificate would be disqualified.
In the event of confirmation before detection of fake certificate, Eshilokun said the House would withdraw the confirmation.
Other requirements, according to Eshilokun are concurrence of the honourable members representing the nominee’s Local Government; profiling by the Directorate of State Security (absolving the nominee of act of terrorism or corruption); certificate of fitness from any Lagos State Government General Hospital and general questions.
Besides, Eshilokun disclosed that the screening at the committee level would start on Monday, October 5, after which the general House would have the opportunity of asking further questions from the nominees on the floor of the House.
