Lagos Assembly takes a second look at suspended members’ cases

Reprieve may be on the way for the two principal officers of the Lagos State House of Assembly who were removed from office and two members who were suspended early in the week, as the Assembly has set up a committee to look into their cases.

The decision to set up the committee was taken at a special parliamentary session held within the Assembly complex, with Hon Ibrahim Layode, a senior lawmaker picked as the head of the committee.

Speaking after the special parliamentary session, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Publicity, Strategy and Security, Hon. Tunde Braimoh, said it was important to the House that there is a solution to the actions taken concerning the affected members.

“Those who are being reprimanded are our colleagues, they are not outcasts, and we belong to the same political party.

“We are mindful that the image of the House is at stake and we want to tell you that the people affected are not outcasts, they are our colleagues.

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“The committee headed by Hon. Ibrahim Layode is looking at the amicable solution to the matter.

“All the issues about offices, access and others would be addressed by the committee,” Braimoh said.

Continuing, Braimoh, while briefing newsmen after the special parliamentary session in the presence of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and other members, added that the election of the two replacements for the impeached principal officers followed due process.

He further noted that the only two offices that are constitutionally recognised are those of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

“They are nothing to worry about, they were done accordingly. All that we did were done according to Order 10 Rules 68 to 72 of the Business Rules of the House.

“We are in the process of conflict resolution. We don’t want to talk about what constitute gross insubordination and indiscipline.

“All the negativity that they are spreading about is exaggerated.

“There would be conflict and this is part of any society. That does not mean there is a sharp division or there is break down of law and order in the House.

“The Speaker is here, the Deputy Speaker is here, all the principal officers are here and all the other lawmakers are here, apart from those that have other things to do and those that are under suspension that are not here.

“There is no problem that is beyond solution. It is just that when things are working there could be some disagreement here and there, that does not mean that we will go for the jugular,” he said.

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