Sanwo-Olu, Obasa meet Lagos advisory council over rejected commissioner-nominees

Sanwo-Olu, Obasa meet Lagos advisory council over rejected commissioner-nominees

Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council on Wednesday met with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker of the state House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa in a move to resolve the reported differences between the executive and the legislative arms.

The meeting held in Lagos is said to be in connection with the rejection by the assembly of 17 commissioner-nominees of Sanwo-Olu.

A report by The Nation listed some of those that attended the meeting as former Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Dr Yomi Finnih, Ganiyu Olarenwaju Solomon, and APC Lagos Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi.

Giving an update on the Wednesday evening meeting, 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.”
Only 22 of the 39 commissioner-nominees screened by the assembly for commissioners scaled the hurdle.

The others, mainly returning former commissioners, were rejected.
This caused an uproar, with an indication that the governor and the speaker are at loggerheads.
Obasa had queried the qualification of some persons nominated by Sanwo-Olu for appointment as commissioners.
He also said two of the nominees were rejected and the rejection was not based on their qualifications, experience or exposure.
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).
“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.
“And in our own estimation, if they (technocrats) have not done well, we have the right to say no and we have said no,” he said.