Posted by By RAZAQ BAMIDELE and HAMMED BODUNRIN, Osogbo on
Crisis nearly marred the swearing-in ceremony of the 11 Action Congress (AC) legislators yesterday at the Osun State House of Assembly, as one of them, Timothy Owoeye (Ilesa East) was arrested at the gate of the complex. But he was later released for the ceremony following pleas by the Speaker, Adejare Bello and mild protest by the AC supporters.
Crisis nearly marred the swearing-in ceremony of the 11 Action Congress (AC) legislators yesterday at the Osun State House of Assembly, as one of them, Timothy Owoeye (Ilesa East) was arrested at the gate of the complex. But he was later released for the ceremony following pleas by the Speaker, Adejare Bello and mild protest by the AC supporters.
Predictably, the 11 AC legislators immediately challenged their exclusion from the previous House proceedings, claiming that the legislative actions taken in their absence were null and void.
At a session presided over by Bello , the AC elected its minority leader, Owoeye, after his nomination by the legislator representing Obokun Constituency seconded by his Egbedore counterpart.
The lawmaker representing Osogbo Constituency, Adegboye, emerged as the minority whip after his nomination by Rasak Salinsile ( Iwo ) and seconded by Ekinola Aderemi (Ile-Ife).
Owoeye, the minority leader performed the first task of opposition after the oath-taking ceremony witnessed by commissioners, Commissioner-nominee, Jide Omoworare, Ife / Ilesa AC Senatorial candidate, wives of the AC legislators and top party leaders.
Owoeye declared that the inauguration done on Monday, June 4, without the participation of the AC legislators was 'unconstitutional, null and void."
He therefore, contended that 'all the actions therefore taken by the House from that day till now are exercise in futility. Nothing can be built on nothing. Section 91 of the 1999 constitution says no House of Assembly can be constituted in any part of Nigeria with less than two third of the members.
'To that extent, the said inauguration of June 4, 2007 contravened the above sections. It is therefore null and void to the extent of its inconsistency. My party has therefore, ordered me to alert the House of its readiness to challenge the illegality in the court of law."
Owoeye lamented the arrest of the three AC lawmakers in the presence of their relations, friends and supporters without any reaction from their PDP counterparts.
'Every arm of democratic government must be accorded its due respect. How will it sound if a member of the Executive is arrested in the Executive chambers or a judge in his court," he queried.
Revisiting the mayhem unleashed on the AC faithful in the state, the minority leader alluded to the destruction of property, detention of Senator Bayo Salami and other colleagues and harassment of innocent party supporters.
He assured that AC has decided to remain resolute in the defence of the rule of law, freedom, liberty, justice, peace, progress and good governance in spite of the repression.
Owoeye asked President Umar Yar'Adua to 'urgently institute an open and independent enquiry into the political situation in the state since January 2004."
He further said 'this action will expose the various political misdeeds, malevolence, Shenanigans and the perpetrators of such acts and recommend appropriate sanction for such people to serve as deterrent for any future occurrence."
Owoeye's speech which was applauded by the AC supporters in the gallery drew the ire of Speaker Bello who considered it as a breach of promise made to him in his office by the eleven legislators to try and maintain peace. He spoke of the steps he had taken on his part to delay the setting up of the House standing committees to allow them to participate in the crucial legislative act.
Bello had tempered the apparent tension which enveloped the chambers by reeling out jokes which put smiles on the faces of all. He told the House that, he has not received any message from Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to the Legislators on the occasion of the swearing-in.
He noted that the 'AC ought to have taken their seats on June 4", saying 'nothing spoilt"
Bello conceded that the opposition accounts for more than 25 per cent of the House membership.
'We are magnanimous with our members in the AC. We delayed till now to have the input of the AC members in the composition of standing committees as well as choosing for themselves their officers (Minority Leader and Minority Whip)," he added.