By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has moved to end the impasse between the State Assembly and the executive arm of government as he replaced five names on a new list of commissioner-nominees.
In the new list sent to the House of Assembly, Mr Sanwo-Olu replaced the names of Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, Mr Solape Hammond, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye, Mr Lekan Fatodu, and Mr Rotimi Ogunwuyi with six new names – Mr Afolabi Tajudeen, Mr Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, Mrs Tolani Sule-Akibu, Mr Yekini Agbaje, Mrs Iyabode Ayoola and Mrs Sola Giwa.
This was disclosed by the Clerk of the House of Assembly, Mr Olalekan Onafeko, during plenary on Monday.
The Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, then directed the screening committee, led by the Chief Whip, Fatai Mojeed, to reconvene and start screening the nominees on Tuesday (September 5).
The committee is to report back to the House on Thursday, September 7.
The governor’s letter partly read, “After careful consideration of the 17 names that were rejected, I have decided to represent a list of nominees which includes a balanced selection of previously presented and new individuals.
“This list represents a broad political spectrum and diverse backgrounds reflective of the rich diversity of our lovely state. I am confident these new nominees would bring fresh ideas that would help the growth and progress of Lagos.”
Other names on the list are former commissioners Mr Gbenga Omotoso, Dr Akin Abayomi, Mr Olalere Odusote, Mrs Cecila Dada, Mr Sam Egube, as well as Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medem, Mr Yomi Olorunyomi, Mr Rotimi Fashola, Mrs Mosopefolu George, Mrs Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Mrs Barakat Bakare, and Mr Olumide Oluyinka.
Last month, the Obasa-led assembly rejected 17 out of the of the 39 commissioner-nominees earlier sent by Mr Sanwo-Olu for screening.
The rejection created controversy, with the Speaker saying that the assembly cannot be intimidated. Many also believed that the rejections carried religious undertones.
Also, the House of Assembly resolved to review the performance of the 2023 budget in preparation for the presentation of the 2024 budget estimate by Mr Sanwo-Olu.
The House approved N1.768 trillion for the Year 2023.
Mr Obasa urged the committee for the budget review, headed by Sa’ad Olumo, to ensure a proper review and make its report available to the House.
