Nigeria: The Federal House of Representatives Thursday gives the Ogun State of Assembly Seven days to start sitting otherwise the Reps will take over the legislative duties of the State House of Assembly. Considering a motion initiated by itah Enang, the House urged the Inspector General Of Police, Hafiz Ringim to facilitate the sitting of the House under the speakership of Hon. Tunji Egbetokun.
Recall that the speaker was impeached with just 9 members meeting and carrying out the removal out of 24 members of the House. Contributing some members while condemning the “illegal impeachment” of the House leadership expressed concern that the Ogun State House of Assembly may not achieve the minimum 181 sitting days.
Earlier Elombah.com learnt former President Olusegun Obasanjo has met with notable political leaders of Peoples Democratic Party in the state, including members of the G15 legislators to resolve the lingering political crisis in Ogun State.
The meeting was called by Obasanjo to resolve the dispute which arose following Governor Gbenga Daniel’s decision to contest for the Senate in the 2011 elections.
The lawmakers said the House of Assembly has failed to perform its functions.
The motion sponsored by Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Ita Enang and 16 others, entitled: Inability of the Ogun State House of Assembly to perform its Constitutional duties.
It resolved that if the Inspector-General defaulted in reopening the Assembly, “the National Assembly should take over, assume and exercise all the legislative powers of Ogun House of Assembly to make laws as the legislature thereof in accordance with Section 11(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 until the House of Assembly is able to resume its functions”.
The prayers were adopted without amendment.
Enang quoted Section 305 (1) of the Constitution, which gives the President the power to declare a state of emergency in any state.
Section 305 (1) states “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the President may, by instrument published in the official gazette of the Government of the Federation, issue a proclamation of a state of emergency in the Federation of any part thereof”.
He said the Assembly formally sat last on June 29 and received this year’s Supplementary Budget proposal and requested for approval of a N100 billion bond from the governor and adjourned plenary to embark on annual recess.
Enang said he was worried that the Assembly resumed on August 3 but was invaded by protesters, who disrupted the peace, which forced the Assembly to adjourn sine die.
He said a notice, which the Speaker authorised the Clerk to send to members, urged the Assembly to be reconvened by the Speaker, Tunji Egbetokun.
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