Lagos: Sanwo-Olu Can Re-Present Dropped Cabinet Nominees –Jide Jimoh
Says, their dropping has nothing to do with sentiment but instrumentality of democracy at work
A past member of the just concluded 9th National Assembly representing Lagos Mainland Federal Consistuency on the ticket of the ruling App Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Jide has asserted that non-confirmation of some cabinet nominees of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu by the legislative house has nothing to do with sentiment, hatred or crisis between the two vital of government.
Jide Jimoh popularly addressed by admirers and colleagues JJ made this known at a Breakfast program on TVC Monday where he explained that, there are one thousand and one reasons that might have led to the non-confirmation of the 17 out of 39 nominees forwarded to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
Jimoh, an experienced lawmaker who has served two terms in the Lagos House of Assembly and another two terms in the House of Representatives made it abundantly clear that what happened was just within the expected role of the legislature as the bastion and backbone of democracy emphasising that, if democracy should be allowed to strive in the country, the legislature must be allowed to perform its role diligently.
While educating the populace, the lawmaker who has also served as Council Chairman said dropping the 17 nominees was neither disqualification nor end of their fate because according to him, “Mr Governor can still re-present their name for reconsideration,” emphasizing the fact the “consultation is a very perwerful aspects of democracy and governance.”
The grassroots politician however told his Television audience that, in spite of what happened and the rumoured being bandied around, the House of Assembly owes nobody obligation of explanation on why and how it happened because the 40 member House were constitutionally constituted and performing their constitutional role as spelt out by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Buttressing the point that it is not over for the dropped nominees, Jimoh stressed the need for consultations with key stake holders like leaders of the party, Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), community chieftains and others, admonishing that, importance of carrying people along in whatever we do in politics cannot be over emphasised.
He stated for the umpteen times that, dropping them is not synonymous with disqualification because they can still be reconsidered and eventually confirmed because we could go back to the drawing board and come back strongly for confirmation, saying, “they should count themselves that, only 39 of them were considered out of about over 20 million people in the state.”
His co-discussant on the program, Hon. Segun Olulade, who was also in the 7th and 8th Lagos House of Assembly also agreed with Jide Jimoh that, the House of Assembly cannot be compelled to divulge reason for their dropping saying only the house has the power to describe any action as ‘Misconduct’ and it is only their definition that would hold as sacrosanct.
Some of the reasons that could have led to dropping the nominees Olulade mentioned not being a member of any political party, not on ground within the wards and constituency where they want to represent, representation not adequately spread and not even familiar with the lawmakers representing their consistencies, asserting however that, “there no intrigues between the governor and the House of the Assembly Speaker.”
Public opinion, Olulade put it in that it matters a lot in governance as he agreed with Jide Jimoh that, the lawmakers are just playing their roles devoid of sentiment, describing it as erroneous to believe that only professionals can head ministries because no ministry that is not having in abundance professionals, experts and technocrats that are always available to assist the commissioners.
In a final note, the experienced lawmaker urged them not to be courage yet because they can still be represented by the governor and be cleared for confirmation reminding them to uphold principle of discipline always just as he stated that, “apart from information from the House, any other thing cannot be described as information but speculation.”
