…As Adekunbi returns as speaker
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has pledged non-interference with the legislative affairs as well as uphold principle of separation of powers and checks and balances in order to allow lawmakers perform legislative functions without prejudice and encumbrances.
While inaugurating 8th legis- lature of Ogun State House of As- sembly in Abeokuta Monday, the governor noted that although the executive and legislative arms of government requires synergy for good governance and improved development, the executive should not treat the legislature as rubber stamps in any matter relating to government and governance.
Governor Amosun, who spoke shortly after the re-election of Suraj Adekunbi as speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, said: “We have to jointly serve our people under a practicable and realistic principle
of separation of powers and checks and balances.
“The expectation of our people is high. We all must realise that the man on the street does not distinguish between the Execu- tive and the Legislative arms of government.
All that our dear people recognise and know is the Government of Ogun State and what matters to them is prompt service delivery and excellent project execution.
“It behooves on us, therefore, that we cooperate and support one another. This requires a syn- ergy between all arms of govern- ment without necessarily imped- ing on each other’s rights, duties and processes.
We must meet the yearning and aspirations of our people.
We need not refrain from telling each other the truth, when the need arises.
“We must realise the fact that the work on our hands in this new tenure is more than that of the last four years.”
Honourable members, the beauty of democ- racy is for each of the three arms of government to work with some independence towards a com- mon people-oriented goal.
“We should acknowledge that fostering a cordial relationship between all arms of government is the essential ingredient for achieving accelerated develop- ment in our state.”
Honourable members of the House, I wish to assure you all of my determi- nation to create, nurtured and sustain a relationship between the Executive and other arms of government.”
Earlier, the 26-member House re-elected Suraj Adekunbi, repre- senting Egbado North I State Con- stituency as speaker of the 8th legislature and elected Olakunle Oluomo, representing Ifo I State Constituency as deputy-speaker; Adeyinka Mafe from Sagamu I State Constituency as majority leader, while Wale Alausa from People’s Democratic Party (PDP), repre- senting Ijebu-Ode State Constitu- ency as minority leader.
RAZAQ AYINLA, ABEOKUTA
