End my have come to the standoff between Governor Babajide Sanwoolu and the Lagos State House of Assembly over the rejection of 17 commissioner-nominees following the intervention of the state Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC).
Although not constitutionally recognised, the GAC is the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
The GAC met with the Governor and the Speaker of the Huse Mudashiru Obasa over the standoff.
The meeting which was held at Lagos Assembly, attracted former Deputy Gov Mrs Adejoke Adefulire, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Dr Yomi Finnih, Ganiyu Olarenwaju Solomon, APC Lagos Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi and other party stalwarts.
The rejection of the commissioner-nominees by the House has thrown the state into confusion with observers insinuating that the Speaker orchestrated the rejection as pay back to Sanwoolu who worked against his reemergence.
Of the 39 nominees screened, only 22 scaled the hurdle while the others, mainly returning former commissioners, were rejected.
The former commissioners include Gbenga Omotoso (Information and strategy); Akin Abayomi (Health) and Sam Egube (Economic planning and budget).
Others are Cecilia Dada (Women’s Affairs and Poverty Alleviation); Olalere Odusote (Energy Resources) and Folashade Adefisayo (Education).
Obasa had queried the qualification of some persons nominated by Sanwo-Olu for appointment as commissioners.
He said two of the nominees were rejected and the rejection was not based on their qualifications, experience or exposure.
Obasa had said the decision of the Assembly o the cabinet is final.
“But if there is any reason for us to reverse our decision, if there is and it is germane and convincing, maybe we may but it is not by threats.
Read Also: Why we dropped Sanwo-Olu’s nominees, by Obasa
“And in our own estimation, if they (technocrats) have not done well, we have the right to say no and we have said no.
“And it is good to advise the man living in a glass house not to throw stones, if not the glass may be shattered,” he said.
Giving an update about the meeting on Wednesday evening, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Gboyega Akosile on his verified X handle said: “Governor @jidesanwoolu, Mr. Speaker @mudashiru_obasa and GAC members today after a meeting at Lagos House, Marina.
“This is Lagos, a place where the finest democratic culture reigns supreme for a Great Lagos Rising”.
