Lagos State House of Assembly screens 20 out of 39 commissioner nominees

The Lagos State House of Assembly has screened twenty out of the thirty-nine nominees presented by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu have been screened despite concerns shown by lawmakers and an Islamic group.

Penpushing reports that the Information Officer of the House of Assembly, Bisola Branco-Ademola, made this known in a statement on Monday, explaining that the  screening started on Sunday, adding that it is expected that all the cabinet nominees would have been screened by Wednesday when the exercise is expected to end.

The Committee Chaired by Mojeed Fatai, Chief Whip of the House, on Monday screened Adetoke Benson- Awoyinka, immediate past special adviser to the Governor on Housing, and Bola Olumegbon Lawal, a former executive secretary of Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

Penpushing further reports that others are Yakoob Alebiosu, Idris Aregbe, Abdul-Kabir Ogungbo, Oreoluwa finnih- Awokoya, Abiola Olowu, Adekunle Olayinka, Mosopefolu George, and Aramide Adeyoye.

The committee on Sunday screened, Mobolaji Ogunlende, Olamide Babatunde, Lawal Pedro and Afolabi Ayantayo, immediate past special Adviser to the Governor on Parastatals Monitoring, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, Olugbenga Olaniyi, Ogunwuyi Ekundayo, Ibrahim Layode, immediate past lawmaker of the State from Badagry, Adetokunbo Wahab and Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu.

Penpushing also reports that it is recalled that the Governor submitted the names of the nominees on 28 July, 2023, while the lawmakers kicked against it arguing that some local government areas were not represented.

The screening exercise was criticized by a group of Islamic clerics and scholars describing the composition of the nominees as a continuation of the Governor’s longstanding bias against Muslims in the state.

Penpushing reports that the body declared that the list exhibited a callous insensitivity to diversity, equity, and fairness, while Governor Sanwo-Olu in reaction faulted the claim and equally denied the allegation.

The Speaker of the House Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, it is recalled had recently constituted the 12-man ad-hoc committee for the exercise, and expected to report to the House of ssembly when it reconvenes.

Penpushing further reports that the chairman of the committee at the commencement of the screening, had pointed out that the task before the lawmakers was in line with a provision of the 1999 Constitution.

‘The House of Assembly has the mandate to screen and confirm the nominees for the position of commissioners and special advisers. Recall that on July 28, 2023, the executive hovernor of Lagos State submitted a total of 39 commissioners and special adviser nominees’, he said.

Penpushing also reports that the chairman added that the recommendation of the committee would be presented to the House, while record has it that members of the committee include Adedamola Kasumu, Ajomale Oladipo, Saheed Babafemi, Nureni Akinsanya, Ajani Owolabi, Sa’ad Olumo, Sanni Okanlawon, Adewale Temitope, Ajayi Oladele, Abdulkareem Jubril and Orekoya Abiodun.

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