The Ogun State House of Assembly on Thursday had a rowdy session over an attempt by the Speaker, Hon. Suraj Adekunbi, to manipulate the process of the composition of the its Tenders Board.
The setting up of the Tenders Board was necessitated by the recent quizzing of Adekunbi by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission over alleged inflation of contract for the supply of 28 cars to the members and principal officers of the House.
The ICPC recommended the setting up of the board to ensure due process and check gross abuse in the award of contracts.
At a plenary session in Abeokuta on Thursday, the report of the House’s Select Committee, which allegedly constituted the Tenders Board, was presented for the lawmakers’ approval.
The report indicated that the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Tola Banjo, was allegedly imposed by the speaker as the Tenders Board chairman.
Adekunbi doubles as the chairman of the Select Committee.
Majority of the lawmakers were not in support of the appointment of Banjo, who is believed to be an ally of Adekunbi.
When he did not get the express consent of the members, Adekunbi called for a voice vote on the issue.
The composition of the Board was rejected.
Adekunbi then used his veto to overrule the dissenting lawmakers who were in the majority.
But the lawmakers did not back down.
A member of the House representing Ifo II State Constituency, Hon. Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo, raised a Point of Order at this stage, calling for a Division of the House based on Order 40 of the House Rules.
The rule stipulates that a Division, which is actual vote, could be called by a lawmaker in the event that a voice vote does not reflect the true position of voting pattern.
Adekunbi objected to this.
With tension rising, the speaker ordered the Majority Leader, Hon. Israel Jolaoso, to move the motion for adjournment.
Jolaoso moved the motion, leading to an adjournment till Tuesday.
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