The Kwara state House of Assembly has reacted to the concern raised by the People’s Democratic Party chairman, over the local government chairmen suspension, saying the party lacks legislative knowledge.
The speaker said the PDP chairman whose parliamentary records are public knowledge shouldn’t have been the one to challenge the power of the parliament on investigation of fund misappropriation.
The speaker who spoke through his Media aide, Ibrahim Sheriff maintained that “no amount of blackmail will make us chicken out of local government investigation.
He said, “Hon. Kola Shittu of all people as a former member of the House of Representatives, whose parliamentary records are public knowledge, ought to be the last person to challenge the oversight powers of the parliamentary arm of government at any level.”
“However, his present stand is understandably pardonable, although he isn’t uninformed as to the powers of the legislative arm of government, yet as the Chairman of the opposition which characteristically of the new opposition in the State has never seen anything good in the people’s government, has chosen to stand truth on his head.”
“We understand that the only concern of Mr. Kola Shittu and the PDP is the fact that the suspended local government Chairmen over allegations of financial misappropriation is their membership of his party, with his brazen disregard for the public interest on the matter and deafening call for probity by well meaning Kwarans.”
“Unlike him and his party, the prime interest of the 9th Kwara state House of Assembly surpasses party affiliation but for the generality of Kwarans, who voted us to represent them and to whom we swore to deliver quality representation.”
“We wish to remind Mr. Shittu and his party that the Kwara State House of Assembly is empowered by the Constitution to perform oversight over all arms of government, to ensure they are working effectively for the people they are meant to serve and the local governments is not an exemption.”
“Section 28 and 29 or the Nigeria Constitution empowers the House of Assembly to direct inquiry or investigation into any matter, thing with respect to which it has power to make laws.”
“It also gives the legislature power to direct inquiry or investigation into conduct of affairs of any person, authority, Ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged with the duty of or responsibility for executing or administering laws enacted by that House of Assembly.”
“May we remind Mr. Shittu and the PDP of section 13 of Kwara state local government law which, subject to the provisions of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria and other existing laws, empowered the House of Assembly to enact laws providing for the establishment, structure, composition, revenue, expenditure, other financial matters, and other relevant matters for the local government area of the state.”
“It is unfortunate that instead of Mr. Shittu and his party to be remorseful for the setbacks caused Kwara state under the leadership of his party men and the perception of immorality that overshadowed the PDP and its members, he has yet again, undisguisedly shown the moral bankruptcy of his party.”
“The case of Mr. Shittu and the PDP is likened to a father whose children are alleged of stealing but prefers to fight over their remand in custody, rather than striving to prove the innocence of his children to maintain the sanctity of their family name. Perhaps, he knows the onions of his children.”
“We consider it ideal, in the best interest of the good people of Kwara state who elected the local government Chairs, to do thorough, unbiased and holistic investigation devoid of emotions into the allegation against the alleged maladministration that has characterise for decades, the running of local government affairs in the State.”
“The investigation are ongoing, and with damning facts daily trooping in, it will be impossible to carry out holistic investigation if the accused are still retained in office while investigation goes on.
If any iota of patriotism is still existent in Mr. Shittu and his co-travellers, he is expected to charge his party men to make him proud by coming out to prove their innocence and shame those whom have questioned their management of the local governments in the interest of Kwarans.”
“The 9th Assembly is pro-Kwaran and committed to restoring sanity to our polity, we are oblivious of the fact that those responsible for our common woes, would never want us have a way out but our determination derived from the overwhelming support our steps so far on the LG administration have received from majority of Kwarans have further reassured us that we are indeed speaking the mind of majority.”
“We therefore, seize this opportunity to appreciate Kwarans for the undiluted support the House has gotten thus far, we also want to assure them once again, that the ongoing investigation of the 16 local government Chairmen would be conducted without prejudice, and we shall ensure justice is done and seen to be done by all, without fear, favour and ill-feelings.”