Ambode inaugurates 8th Lagos assembly, calls for cooperation

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Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Clerk of Lagos House of Assembly, Mr. Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru

Emmanuel Thomas

June 8, 2015 – Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode today inaugurated the 8th session of the Lagos State House of Assembly in the new chamber built by former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji.

There are 40 members in the house, out of which 32 were elected on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC), while 8 of them were elected on the floor of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). There are four females in the house, 3 belonging to the APC while 1 belongs to the PDP.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ambode said the lawmakers and the executive face an onerous task of sustaining standards and exceeding standards set by those who have left the scene.

“As you settle down, I seek your support”, he said, stressing that all policies of government will be legitimized in the hallowed chambers and promised to respect their views irrespective of political affiliation.

He noted that it is normal for disagreement to arise but that they must be resolved in the interest of the people of Lagos State.

He told the house that he has handed over his proclamation of the 8th Assembly to Clerk of the House, Mr. Ganiyu Olsegun Abiru based on section 3, subsection 105, of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

Earlier in his speech, Abiru congratulated members of the assembly and prayed that they be granted wisdom to surpass their predecessor.

He said that it is erroneous to advocate that only the executive arm of government is working, stressing that the legislator remains the fulcrum of democracy.

He lamented that most of the experienced hands in the house were not returning, stressing that the development portends a dangerous trend to democracy since lawmaking thrives on experience.

According to him, only 20 out 40 members were re-elected, noting that the money expended on their training has gone down the drain since the new members have to be trained.

He explained that lawmaking is serious business for serious-minded people, noting that the new members must work hard to ensure that they are re-elected in the next four years.

He called on party members in their constituency to desist from bothering the lawmakers with financial request on mundane issues like marriages, naming ceremonies and other issues so that the lawmakers can effectively run their offices.

He said that he looks forward to a vibrant legislative session, stressing that meetings held so far has taking place in an atmosphere of peace and friendliness.

He urged them to work for the interest of Lagos state adding that their loyalty should be to the state and work for the greatest good of the state.

He paid tribute to Ikuforiji whom he described as the longest serving speaker in Lagos State and former deputy speaker, Hon. Taiwo Kolawole whom he described as a legislative mathematician.

 

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