Osun Speaker Warns Councilors Against Rivalry

By Israel Afolabi

The Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Dr Najeem Salaam has warned elected councilors against unhealthy rivalry that is inimical to smooth operation of parliamentary system across local government in the state.

Dr Salaam gave the warning in his address while declaring open, a two-day workshop on legislative practice and procedure for elected councilors and support staff in all the local governments, local council development areas, area councils and administrative offices in the sate held at the House of Assembly complex, Osogbo

The speaker appreciated the state Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his wisdom and unparalleled sense of reasoning at all times for putting the state on a sound footing towards economic development.

He declared that the state has attained greater heights among the comity of states in Nigeria

According to him, “The introduction of the parliamentary system at the local governments by the governor and its subsequent endorsement by the House of Assembly will certainly make our state to be a model for other states in the federation to emulate.

“An effective local government system will ensure that both the human and material resources are effectively mobilized and harnessed to ensure that an unbroken chain of communication is maintained between the rulers and the ruled”, he added.

He made it known that the relationship between the executive and the legislature in a parliamentary system is called responsible government.

Salaam noted that Osun adopts a parliamentary system of government at the local level to foster better governance and efficient delivery of dividends of democracy at the grassroots.

He urged all stakeholders in the new system of administration to play the game according to the rules and avoid unnecessary friction.

He said, “There is the need for harmonious relationship among the various actors to make the new system attractive and become a model to other states of the federation”.

Salaam who reiterated the effectiveness of party discipline and supremacy under parliamentary system, urged them to be moderate in the exercise of power.

He also warned against any act that could truncate the operation of the system at the local government level.

In a similar vein, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Prince Gboyega Famodun observed that the grassroot is the starting point for anybody that want to take politics as career.

He urged them to concentrate more on service to the people and stressed the needs for tolerance among the elected councilors for the system to work.

He also admonished on the need to strengthen the bond of relationship between them, the party leaders as well as members at the grass roots.

In their separate lectures, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Kolapo Alimi and the Special Adviser on Legislative Matter to the Governor, Hon. Ipoola Binuyo emphasized the principle of collective responsibility in the parliamentary system.

They stressed the need for compliance with due process and to ensure proper monitoring of projects.

Other resource persons including Dr Wale Olaopa, Dr Solomon Ayegba and Dr Solomon Ojo in their separate lectures highlighted the merits of parliamentary democracy as they cited example of countries where it is being practiced.

The lecturers who noted that the success of any system depend on the operators, charged elected councilors on good performance, which according to them would launch them to further politicking in the future.

In their various responses, Leader of Odo-Otin South LCDA, Hon Adeyemi Adelani; Chairman, Odo-Otin North LCDA, Hon Hakeem Seriki and Deputy Leader, Osogbo West LCDA, Hon Moses Jasuyi appreciated the House for organizing the workshop to sensitise all the elected councilors in Osun.

They urged the state government not to relent on its duties in organizing such workshops periodically.

They all commended the state Assembly for organizing such workshop that would orientate elected councilors at the local levels.

Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Wasiu Adebayo stated that the workshop was coming at the right time as there was the need to acquaint the elected officials with the rudiment of parliamentary system.