The Speaker, Ogun Assembly, Mr Oludaisi Elemide (APC-Odeda), on Tuesday, overturned the decision of other lawmakers to suspend the impeached Speaker of the state assembly, Olakunle Oluomo (APC-Ifo1).
Elemide had during plenary in Abeokuta stepped down a motion moved by Babatunde Tella (APC-Abeokuta North) and co- sponsored by five other lawmakers to suspend Oluomo for 14 legislative days.
Tella, the Deputy Chief Whip, had opened the debate on the motion, stating that the House noted with serious concern and dismay the unwholesome attitude of the former speaker.
The lawmaker explained that the attitude was detrimental to the physical, mental and moral well-being of the House, saying that the attitude was putting the image of the House in bad light and disrepute.
“Further note is the fact that by taking this House to the court of law, he had shown a clear manifestation of an unfriendly disposition and disregard to the laws and statutes guiding the operations of this House.
“The former speaker has breached the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act of 2018, Section 21 on Pre-action notice.
“A person who has cause of action against a legislative House shall give three months written notice to the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative House disclosing the cause of action and relief sought,’’ Tella said.
According to him, however, consequent upon the fact that Oluomo has refused to follow due process before taking this House to the court of Law, he has contravened the laws guiding the operations of this House.
“He is guilty as he cannot claim ignorance being a former speaker of the same House.
“Consequently, having been deemed guilty of the above as there is no record of three months notice being sent to the Office of the Clerk; an action that contravened the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act 2018.
“I, therefore, in consonance with Order 10 Rule 71 (4) move that Olakunle Oluomo be suspended from the activity of this Honorable House for 14 legislative days,” he said.
Other lawmakers who spoke in support of the motion included the Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye (PDP-Odogbolu), Adegoke Adeyanju (APC-Yewa North 1), Oluseun Adesanya (PDP-Ijebu North East) and Waliu Owode (PDP-Ijebu East).
The lawmakers explained that the former speaker’s activities were in violation of the rules and regulations of the House.
Ruling on the motion, Elemide pleaded with the lawmakers to consider the state and the efforts of the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration in conjunction with the legislature in turning around the state for better.
He noted that such efforts could only yield the desired results for the advancement of the state, when there is peace and tranquility in all spheres of governance, hence the need to suspend action on the matter.
The speaker explained that although Oluomo had violated the regulations of the House, the present leadership would be magnanimous in always upholding the sanity of the institution, being the symbol of democracy.
The Assembly had on January 30 ratified the impeachment of Oluomo as the speaker.
