The Kogi House of Assembly on Wednesday finally screened and confirmed Governor Bello’s Commissioner nominee, Kingsley Fanwo, a week after his initial rejection.
The House asked the Commissioner nominee to take a bow and leave, after three members spoke well of his pedigree.
The Speaker of the House, Dr. Matthew Kolawale, explained that it was not as if the assembly rejected the nominee on July 20.
He said the lawmakers did not confirm him on that day for lack of concurrence.
Kolawale harped on the strained relationship existing between the House and the Executive, describing it as a “bad omen” for the state.
He said: “The House of Assembly is an arm of government that is well respected by others and should be seen to be working in tandem with the Executive arm.
“As the situation is, it’s not about us, but it’s about the legacy we have to leave behind for the younger ones as a government.
“In a situation where we are not working together in harmony, we can’t move forward to achieve the desired development for our state.
“Let us have peace to work in synergy and not allow enemies of progress keep peddling rumours and backbiting to cause us problems.
“We have a big task, in the 2023 polls ahead of us, that requires our collective fight and struggle to win, and not loose.”
Addressing the commissioner nominee, the Speaker advised him to “turn a new leaf, listen more and talk less”.
Kolawole added: “Whatever has happened, don’t look at it as a revenge but let it help you to have a rethink and do the needful for the good of this administration.”
Earlier, the house approved Governor Bello’s request for N1.24 billion loan to be obtained from Zenith Bank as counterpart funding for the 2022 Universal Basic Education Commission projects in the State
Speaking to newsmen shortly after his confirmation, Fanwo, who was full of gratitude to the house for confirming him, pledged to assiduously work for the development of Kogi State.
He also expressed gratitude to Bello for offering him a second chance to be part of his administration.
NAN reports that on July 20, the lawmakers refused to confirm Fanwo during plenary, citing lack of “concurrence” as reason for their inability to confirm him.
Fanwo had in April 2022 resigned his appointment as the state Commissioner for Information to contest the All Progressive Congress primary election for Yagba Federal Constituency.
He lost the ticket to Folorunsho Olafemi, son of a former Acting Governor of Kogi State, Chief Clarence Olafemi.