Ogun Assembly in rowdy session over tenders board

 

The Ogun State House of Assembly witnessed a rowdy session on Thursday, as majority of the 26 assembly members faulted the constitution of a Tender’s Board Committee.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the constitution of the board, which would serve as a due process unit in the Assembly, was on the recommendation of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and Other Related Offences (ICPC), following a petition written against the Speaker, Honourable Suraj Adekunbi,over alleged cars scam.

The Speaker, at the resumed sitting announced the composition of the members of the board which was vehemently rejected by majority of the members.

The mention of the deputy Speaker, Honourable Tola Banjo, as chairman of the board, following the report of the selection committee calling of its approval,caused an uproar on the floor of the Assembly.

The lawmakers opposed what they thought was an attempt to impose the membership of the committee on them,  because the Speaker is the Chairman of the House Committee.

Banjo was said to be a “stooge” of Adekumbi and that “he (Banjo) cannot chair such a sensitive committee.”

The confusion forced the Speaker to call for a voice vote on whether to accept or reject the report of the selection Committee.

However, the voice vote of members who were against the committee report overrode those  calling for its acceptance.

In the midst of the confusion, a member representing Ifo 11 state constituency, Hon (Mrs) Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo, raised a point of Order, so as to address the issue.

She cited Order 40 of the House Rule which stipulated that in the event that a Voice vote did not reflect the true position. of voting pattern, any lawmaker could call for division.

This was rejected by the Speaker.

Apparently disturbed by the development, the Speaker ordered the Majority Leader, Honourable Israel Jolaosho, to move the motion for adjournment to douse the tension. The sitting was adjourned till next Tuesday.