LAHA Vows Serious Screening Of Ambode's Cabinet Nominees

For the Lagos State House of Assembly, it is going to be very strict screening of nominees submitted by the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode for the positions of commissioners and special advisers.

This was made known on Friday by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, who spoke at a press conference to explain the status of relationship the exists between the House and the executive arm of government.

Eshilokun-Sanni emphasised that the House was in a very cordial relationship with the state governor, but further emphasised that such cordiality would soften the decision to act according to the constitution.

“We would not sacrifice excellence on the alter of cordiality,” he said at the press conference.

There had been reports that the House may have clashed with the governor over the method it had adopted to screen the commissioner-nominees.

While a statement from the executive said the screening would be completed and the nominees confirmed before  October 5, the House had set up a 15-man committee to screen the nominees and further adjourned till October 13.

However, Eshilokun-Sanni claimed that the House did not see the statement giving the date for the swearing-in of the would-be confirmed commissioners and special advisers.

The committee of the House is to begin screening of the nominees on Monday with nine of the nominees, but this would be done without the presence of journalists, except the information unit of the House, according to Eshilokun-Sanni.

Eshilokun-Sanni said the decision of the House to set up a committee to screen the nominees is in line with the Section 101 of the 1999 constitution which states that“subject to the provisions of this constitution, a House of Assembly shall have powers to regulate its procedure, including the procedure for summoning and recess of the House.”

According to Eshilokun-Sanni, Section 103(1) of the same constitution states that“a House of Assembly may appoint a committee of its members for any special or general purpose as its opinions will be better regulated and managed by means of such a committee, and may by resolution, regulation or otherwise as it thinks fit, delegate any functions exercisable by it to any such committee.”