The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kola Oluwawole has applauded members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly for re-electing their former speaker, Rt. Hon. Friday Konbowei Benson, after winning a re-run election.
Benson, who was elected Speaker of the Bayelsa House after becoming victorious in the Southern Ijaw Constituency IV election last year, had his election annulled and a re-run ordered to elect representative for the constituency. He however won the re-run and was again elected Speaker by his colleagues.
Oluwawole lauded members of the House through a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Assistant (Media), Stephen Gbadamosi, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, noting that the development signified oneness of purpose of the Assembly members.
The statement reads, “That is what we keep drumming to the ears of the executive arm of government, both at the federal and state levels; let the members of your legislatures do their work with a sense of unity. Why debar them with divide-and-rule tactics that will not augur well for the electorate?
“Look at what is happening in Ekiti; there is no problem at the state level. Then, what is the problem of the executive at the national level? They are just undermining the powers and duties of the legislature in Ekiti State.
“What we are saying is that there is no sin in the legislature enjoying robust relationship with the executive in a state, in so far as the House members are united for the common good of the people that elected them.
“All Nigerians and lovers of democracy the world over should come out to condemn the Federal Government for harassing lawmakers and desecrating the sanctity of Ekiti House of Assembly by whisking away four lawmakers and keeping them incommunicado since about two weeks now. What gives them the audacity to think that they will coerce us to impeach an elected governor? That is the kind of interference that legislators should not allow to creep into their folds.
“It is, therefore, commendable that lawmakers in Bayelsa State have not allowed their ranks to be infiltrated by outsiders. By their action, they have passed a vote of confidence on Right Honourable Friday Benson, just as we have done on Governor Ayo Fayose in Ekiti.
“Kudos to them; and we wish them more peaceful legislative functions and years ahead. That is what we are fighting for in Ekiti. The Federal Government should allow us to perform our constitution-guaranteed functions peacefully for the benefit of our people,” he stated.
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