With the resolution of crisis in the
Kogi State House of Assembly, all is now set for full legislative
activities in the confluence state. The resolution of the crisis
followed the resignation of the embattled Speaker, Momoh Jimoh Lawal,
and the election of Hon. Umar Imam, a member of G5 as the new speaker of
the Assembly.
In his acceptance speech as Speaker,
Hon. Imam from Kogi West Senatorial District, announced the
preparedness of the assembly to continue its legislative functions after
the unfortunate saga that paralysed activities in the house for more
than five months.
He said, “The State Assembly is back
and ready to deliver on its roles through collaboration with other arms
of government and critical stakeholders in ensuring good governance.
“Our firm course of action in
salvaging the State from economic recession currently bedeviling our
great Nation shall be unwavering and uncompromising in achieving
prosperity.
“We are, thus, challenged to renew
our resolve to the task of State building and to make certain that the
new direction of this administration leads us to the transformative
changes we all deserve in our socio-economic and political lives and in
meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the great people of Kogi
State.”
Before the election of the new
speaker, Hon. Aliyu Akuh, deputy speaker, presiding over the plenary,
read the resignation letter to the 23 members that were present, saying
that the former speaker had to take the decision to save the integrity
and the sanctity of the legislature.
Moving the motion for the
commencement of the sitting, after over five months of infighting, the
majority leader and member representing Kabba/Bunu constituency, Hon.
Matthew Kolawole thanked members for their resilience in the struggle
to enthrone legislative independence, noting that the resignation of
Momoh jimoh Lawal as speaker was an affirmation of the house resolve to
settle their differences without external forces .
In his resignation letter, the
former speaker noted that he would have loved to continue the struggle
to validate his impeachment by G5 but had to consider the interest of
the state above his personal consideration hence his decision to throw
in the towel.
He said, “Let me quickly add that
I’m not a quitter but as the leader of this noble House, I must put Kogi
first. My resignation as a speaker of this House was a difficult
decision, but I do believe, it is the right thing to do. This I’m sure
will bring joy to some and anger to others. To those who believed in
legislative democracy but, I do understand your anger and frustration.
“To my Honourable colleagues who
stood by me in the struggles to uphold the sanctity of the legislature, I
thank you and will forever cherish your love and solidarity.
“To the judiciary , I doff my heart
for believing in the tenets of democratic values and to my constituents I
share in your frustration and pledge to devote the rest of my
legislative tenure to serve you better.To My good friends in the media
profession, I thank you for your support and understanding.”
Shortly after reading Lawal’s
resignation letter, Hon. Akuh called for nomination to fill the vacant
position of speaker, which the majority leader Kolawole nominated Hon.
Umar Imam representing Lokoja 1 constituency who was elected unopposed
by the members.
With the election of the new speaker
Umar Iman of the APC which has 11 as against the PDP’s 14 members have
foreclosed the crisis that almost tore the Assembly to shreds even as
all other principal officers maintained their positions except the
former Chief Whip Hon. Friday Sani who lost to Hon. Kekere Sani of Okehi
state constituency.
Since February 16, when a group of five lawmakers sat and impeached Lawal as speaker, the state assembly has been in crisis.
Yahaya Bello, governor of the state was alleged to be a great supporter of the minority group.
Independent gathered that the
emergence of Hon. Imam, factional speaker during the period of the
crisis believed to be the choice of Gov. Bello was part of the
conditions given by the governor for peace to reign in the assembly.
The governor who hails from Kogi
Central senatorial district, believes having a speaker from a minority
area and from another senatorial zone would balance power equation in
the state since the deputy governor is from the east.
Another observer explained that the
governor was pursuing a personal agenda by insisting that Hon. Lawal
must not continue to function as speaker while he remains as governor of
the state. Now that the assembly members have put the ugly incident
behind them, it is pertinent, according to observers, that members wake
up to their responsibilities in order to recover the lost grounds.
Political analysts want members to
consider the interest of the state as paramount and work towards making
laws that would ensure the transformation of the state, which has been
adjudged to be lagging behind in terms of provision of infrastructures.
There is need, according observers,
for members of the House of Assembly to put aside tribal sentiments and
political differences towards ensuring that dividends of democracy are
delivered to the people that voted them in.
According to Hon. Simeon Maha, a
chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), people of the state want
the members to settle down and allow peace to reign.
He said, “We are praying that issues
pertaining to the governorship election being challenged at Appeal
Court are resolved as fast as possible. Members of the state assembly
should also allow the interest of the state dominate whatever laws they
make”.
Credits: Augustine Adah/Independent
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