Ogun State House of Assembly has revealed that the removal of Olakunle Oluomo of Ifo I State Constituency is not targeted as at the governor of the State, Dapo Abiodun.
The new Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide revealed that the Assembly waited for the decision of the Supreme Court on the election of the state governor before effecting the removal of the immediate past Speaker.
Elemide, while addressing journalists after he was sworn in as the new Speaker said the impeachment would have been done long ago, but for the awaited judgment of the Supreme Court on the election of the Governor.
He however said emphatically that the Assembly will work against anybody who prevents then from performing their legislative duties.
He further revealed that the Assembly under his leadership will not be a rubber stamp as was being alleged under Oluomo.
Dapo Abiodun’s election was last Friday affirmed by the Supreme Court following the petition and appeals by the People’s Democratic Party and its candidate in the last election, Hon Ladi Adebutu.
Elemide said, “We will want to appreciate His Excellency, we thank God for the just decided Supreme Court judgment, if not for that, I think this thing would have come up long (ago), but we want him to be fully concentrated.
“In as much as we are congratulating him, we are saying the new set of leadership we have is the leadership that will henceforth direct and rule over the house.”
“By the grace of God, Insha Allah, Dapo is our governor till May 29, 2027 and we are not out to fight the governor or do anything, but we are here in the interest of the masses, and we are working against anything that will not allow us to perform our duties.”
“Often time, you people have been saying ‘it is a rubber stamp House, it is a plastic house’, we want the right thing to be done in the house.”
Earlier, 18 lawmakers of the Assembly impeached the former Speaker, alleging gross misconduct.
According to a list of office released by the Assembly, Oluomo was accused of embezzling monies meant for the lawmakers.
He was particularly accused of embezzling ‘philanthropic gesture’ extended to the House by Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Olamilekan Yayi, amongst others.
The lawmaker forced their ways into the Assembly complex and the hallowed Chambers to impeach the speaker.
The gate to the Assembly which was under lock and key was broken while some of the lawmakers were also seen having difficult times with some security operatives who had been drafted to the Assembly.
One of the lawmakers, Adeyanju Awoso took the function of the mace bearer as he came into the hallowed chamber with the mace and was seen holding the mace in front of the Speaker.
A few other lawmakers also manned the two entrances into the hallowed chamber whn the new Speaker came in a sat for less than one minute, before adjourning the plenary to a week.
Elemide also used his bare hand as the gavel, he banged the table following the suspension of the plenary.
The Speaker said the peaceful removal of Oluomo was a demonstration of being law abiding citizens, adding that they have only exercised their powers under the laws.
“We are law abiding legislators and that’s is why you have not seen violence all these while.
“We have our rules and orders in the House and it gives us the right to select, elect our Speaker. The Speaker is not in any way higher than members, he’s just the first amongst equal and whoever the members say is their Speaker, is their Speaker.
“That is what we have demonstrated this afternoon. We just want to pass it to the whole world that there’s been a change in the leadership of this honourable house.
“And at least, 18 out of 26 members have unanimously signed, supported and picked me as their new Speaker, I am not there boss, I am only the one that will speak for them, guide their interest, and protect their interest. That is what we have just done.”
According to a Notice of Impeachment signed by the 18 lawmakers, including lawmakers from both the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Oluomo was impeached in line with Section 92(2) (C) of the Constitution.
His impeachment, according to the notice endorsed by the Clerk of the House, was also in line with Order 11of the Standing Rule of the House of Assembly.
Oluomo was accused of high handedness, lack of focus and transparency, arrogance, poor leadership style, financial misappropriation, and inciting members against themselves.
“Sequel to the gross misconducts above mentioned and in consonance with Section 92(2) (C) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Order 11 of the Standing rule of the House of Assembly, we the undersigned duly elected members of the 10th Assembly of Ogun State House of Assembly move for the impeachment of Mr. Speaker, Rt Hon Olakunle Taiwo Oluomo with immediate effect.”
The 18 lawmakers include; Hon. Adeyanju Adegoke Olusesi, Hon. Akingbade Jemili, Hon. Lawal Samsideen Adekunle, Hon. Ayodele Wasiu, Hon. Lamidi Olatunji, Hon. Awolaja Dickson Kolawole, Hon. Adeniran Ademola Adeyinka, Hon. Elemide Oladaisi, and Hon Bello Mohammed.
Others are: Hon. Adesanya Oluseun, Hon. Atobatele Lukmon, Hon. Waliu Ifedolapo, Hon. Amosun Yusuf, Hon. Babatunde Tella, Hon. Soneye Damilola, Hon Adeleye Lukman, Hon. Ajayi Bolanle Lateefat and Hon. Kashamu Rasheed.
•INDEPENDENTNG.