The Lagos State House of Assembly has declined the approval of 17 candidates nominated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to serve as commissioners, among whom are former Health Commissioner Prof. Akin Abayomi and former Information Commissioner Mr. Gbenga Omotosho.
Nevertheless, the lawmakers have granted confirmation to 22 other individuals who were put forth as commissioner nominees by the governor. This decision was reached through a voice vote, subsequent to a thorough scrutiny of the nominees during a plenary session by the assembly’s Committee of the Whole.
Chairing the proceedings, Speaker Mr. Mudashiru Obasa announced that the evaluation had been carried out meticulously and in-depth by an ad-hoc committee headed by Chief Whip Mr. Fatai Mojeed. Obasa emphasised that the process aligned with the provisions of Section 182 Sub-Sections I and II of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Speaker disclosed that the remaining 15 individuals whose nominations were declined included: Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, Mr. Yomi Oluyomi, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose, Ms. Barakat Bakare, Olalere Odusote, Dr. Rotimi Fashola, and Mrs. Bolaji Dada.
He further detailed the list of rejections: Mr. Sam Egube, Mr. Olalekan Fatodu, Mrs. Solape Hammond, Mr. Mosopefolu George, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye, Mr. Seun Osiyemi, Mr. Rotimi Ogunwuyi, and Dr. Olumide Oluyinka.
The Speaker outlined the 22 validated nominees as: Mr. Layode Ibrahim, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, Ms. Bola Olumegbon, Mr. Idris Aregbe, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, and Mr. Moruf Fatai.
He continued, listing other confirmed candidates: Mr. Kayode Bolaji-Roberts, Mr. Abiola Olowu, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya, Mr. Yakub Alebiosu, Mr. Lawal Pedro, Mr. Tunbosun Alake, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, Dr. Jide Babatunde, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, and Mr. Abdulkabir Ogungbo.
Obasa applauded the committee for their efficient work and encouraged the confirmed nominees to bear in mind that their duty was to serve the people of the state as a whole, rather than individual interests. He also pledged that the assembly would persist in prioritising the state’s welfare.
Consequently, the Speaker instructed the House Clerk, Mr. Lekan Onafeko, to formally communicate the notification of nominee approvals and rejections to the governor.
It is noteworthy that the speaker did not provide any specific reasons for the assembly’s decision to reject the nominees.
