House reserves right to expose reports on rejected nominees - says Speaker

The Lagos State House of Assembly has insisted on its decision not to confirm some of the commissioner-nominees sent by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for screening and approval.

The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, who presided over the plenary during resumption of sitting, yesterday, said the lawmakers had concluded there is no going back on the rejected nominees despite pressures from different quarters to have the decision rescinded.

The lawmakers did not give reasons for the rejection.

It would be recalled that the House had, last Wednesday, confirmed 22 out of the 39 nominees sent by Sanwo-Olu and rejected 17.

According to Obasa, the confirmation of the 22 nominees followed a rigorous and detailed screening by an ad-hoc committee led by the Chief Whip of the House, Fatai Mojeed.

The Speaker commended the committee for its effectiveness and urged the confirmed nominees to always remember that they are in office to serve the people of the state and not individuals.

Obasa had maintained the lawmakers would continue to do their job, including their oversight functions, adding that the Assembly reserves the right to expose screening reports of the committee on the 17 rejected commissioner-nominees.

He warned those planning protests and sponsoring media articles to desist, saying the House would not be threatened over the issue.

Obasa said it was unfortunate that whenever the House refuses to be a ‘rubber stamp’ to a governor’s request, it would be interpreted that the lawmakers were fighting the governor.

“If anybody wishes to know the reasons for the decision, they should approach the House. However, we will not be forced to spill our observations,” he said.