Group to Lagos Assembly: Cabinet Nominee rejection, disruptive to developmental template

Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) has condemned the recent rejection of 17 out of the 39 nominees forwarded by the Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the State’s House of Assembly for clearance and confirmation, describing the action as a disruptive for the state developmental template.

The group made this assertion during a press parley addressed by its National President Comrade Alex Omotehinse, it faulted the action of the legislature for not making bold revelation of the basis for their refusal to clear the 17 nominees.
According to the CHSR boss the action of the lawmakers will have spiral effect across the country given the status of the state and its pacesetting mien.

“The recent rejection by the Lagos State House of Assembly, of Seventeen (17) out of Thirty-Nine (39) persons on the list of Commissioners and Special Advisers forwarded by Governor Babajide Sanwoolu to the Assembly should be a great cause of concern to all well-meaning Lagosians and the public.

“As social stakeholders, the civil society community is not only taken aback by this resolution but gravely disturbed with likely fatal consequences this seemingly innocuous total politicisation of appointments into the State cabinet may have at disrupting the enviable developmental template of the State of Excellence.

“We are most apprehensive on the prospects of slight rupture in the processes of the State governance which we know would invariably have viral effects on the country, sub-region and continent.

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“When Lagos sneezes, societies would catch cold.

The Group x-rayed the previous administration and worthy feats attained, linking it to their thirst for assemblage of egg-heads and technocrats who have done the state lot of good.
“This, no doubt has made the Centre of Excellence to tap from the reservoir of the best brains in the country. We do not only applaud this unique essence of Lagos governance, but we also unequivocally identify with it, strongly recommend same for States in the Federation.

CHSR further queried the rationale behind their rejection: “We strongly warn the Lagos State House of Assembly to be wary of throwing away the baby with the bathe water.

“It is most disheartening that these Commissioner Nominees were reported to have been rejected on mere voice votes without the Assembly putting forward logical rationales that they were rejected for lack of merit.

“The State’s governance craftsmanship over the years, have never been solely left to the whims, caprices of partisan considerations. Since 1999, persons of different hues have had cause to serve in the State cabinet, majorly on merit and professional criterial.

“We are not unaware that some salient interests are always considered when picking political appointees. For instance, concerns were raised on the imperative to balance religious composition, geographical spread and even for compensation of loyal political devotees.

“These, however, are never the overriding consideration, merit, needs, stands tower high above any other factors.

“This is why we are miffed, overwhelmed with awe on how globally acclaimed, credible professionals like Prof. Akin Abayomi of the Ministry of Health who bailed the country out of the Covid-19 pandemic; Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, Gbenga Omotosho and Sam Egube of the Ministries of Education, Information and Economic planning and budget respectively, could have been rejected by any diligent, patriotic, growth-minded representatives of the people.”

“These are rare breeds professionals, quiet, un -assuming social achievers that other saner climes are in dire search for their services.”

The group counseled the key players in the polity of Lagos not to allow political detractors to create a rift between them, “We know that detractors of the State are keen at fanning embers of discord between Governor Babajide Sanwoolu and the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, this must not be allowed to fester into conflagrations that would wreak havoc on the developmental agenda of the State.”