Ogun Assembly Assures Suspended LG Chairmen Of Fairness
By Olu Osikoya, Abeokuta
The Ogun State House of Assembly has assured the Chairmen of the 20 Local Government Councils and 37 Local Council Development Areas suspended by the Eighth Legislature in the State of fairness and justice in the examination of petitions against them, as plans are underway to resolve the issues within the next three weeks.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Jemili Akingbade, gave the assurance while playing host to the Chairmen, at the Assembly Complex, Oke- Mosan, Abeokuta.
Hon. Akingbade who said the meeting was an avenue for the Local Government helmsmen to exonerate themselves of allegations levelled against them, directed that detailed report of their tenure between October, 2016 to May, 2019 should be submitted to the Assembly, on or before Friday, August 16th, 2019.
He emphasised that the report was expected to include details of capital projects executed since assumption of office, the bidding processes of contracts awarded, revenue heads and full disclosure of all revenues and expenditures for scrutiny by the lawmakers, adding that, the Assembly would liaise with the appropriate government agencies to ensure that the suspended chairmen has access to relevant records required to prepare their reports.
In their remarks, the Deputy Speaker, Oludare Kadiri, Minority Leader Ganiyu Oyedeji and a member representing Abeokuta South I, Yusuf Adejojo as well as his Ijebu North- East counterpart, Abayomi Fasuwa, promised that the House would ensure holistic consideration of the allegations bordering on misappropriation of fund and abuse of office levelled against the Chairmen.
The Honourable members hinted that the Assembly would come up with its findings, based on the reports from the Chairmen, in response to the petitions earlier submitted to the Eighth Legislature, with a view to promoting accountability and transparency in the running of the councils.
In their separate submissions, the representatives of the Chairmen, Barrister Bayo Osikomaya, and Kafaru Felix, from Ogun East, Mr. Obafemi Edun and Saheed Alagbe from Ogun West, as well as Taofeek Olabode and Mr Kunle Folarin from Ogun Central Senatorial District, respectively appealed to the leadership of the Assembly to ensure speedy consideration of the issues raised as their tenure would lapse in October.
