.You cannot distract us as a House
Our attention has been drawn to a statement issued and signed by one Kehinde Adebayo on behalf of the drowning Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kabba/Bunu Local Government describing the actions of Kogi State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Prince Mathew Kolawole as a threat to the nation’s democracy just because they are performing their well spelt out constiturional role.
We would have not bothered ourselves in responding to the provocative statement that is lack in content but to keep the unsuspected reading public abreast of the situation.
It is no gaining saying that the Kogi State House of Assembly under the dynamic leadership of Rt Hon Prince Matthew Kolawole is one of the most vibrant and articulated Assembly the state has ever had considering their dedication and commitment to duty which created room for the Assembly under his watch to pass over 60 bills and treat over 80 motions and matters of public urgent importance in 26 months in office.
How else would you read from a party who introduced and promoted impunity in the system when they held sway to the leadership of the country.
For the avoidance of doubt, there is what is called “Rule of Procedure” that is used and such were given to members of the panel, their assignment was a facts finding one, and were not required to give any resolution in the circumstance.
“The decision of whether the deputy governor is guilty or not guilty is that of the House.
Since the constitution cannot be read in isolation, Section 188(11), it says the House of Assembly is the only authority which determines what is gross misconduct.
It is also good to note that the documents flying everywhere is not signed and the reports is in three volumes which one cannot be consider in isolation.
Do we say it is the PDP that sent the impeached Deputy Governor to misbehave to the point of forgetting the oath of secrecy he took when he was being sworn in in 2016, his actions to feature on National television discussing issues that are classified about the state government, breaking the oath of secrecy he swore to himself. Is that not enough to make him culpable for gross misconduct?
The impeached Deputy Governor even at the panel, confirmed that he did appear on those stations, how come the panel said it was not proved?
It is also good to note that Rt Hon Prince Matthew Kolawole is one of the best representatives the constituency has ever produced considering his monumental developmental strides in the area of human capital development, youth and women empowerment, support to widows, market men and women, education support program, health, agriculture, scholarship scheme, employment for the youths in both government agencies at national and state level, aside from the fact that the Ikowaopa and Olle -Iluke road is getting serious attention coupled with his qualitative representation that gave the constituency for the first time to be given the speakership position.
The PDP is taking the cordial working relationship between the three arms of government in the state for error hence describing such to take the Assembly as a stooge for the Executive.
It is an open secret that the emergence of Rt Hon Prince Matthew Kolawole leadership has really stabilized the legislative arm in the state considering the crisis that engulfed the Assembly before he was elected the 12th Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly on the 3rd August, 2017.
His outstanding and monumental achievements within a short period in office has endeared him to both local and international organizations that have bestowed him Awards of Honor.
His representation prowess made the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Africa Region to appoint him as one of their Executive Committee to represent the North Central Nigeria, in the same vein, the Nigeria Conference of State Assemblies Speakers elected him as the Financial Secretary, positions he still maintained till date and just last week, he was honored as the Most Outstanding State Assembly Speaker in Nigeria by a reputable organisation, Democracy Heroes Award held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
It is a known fact that Rt Hon Prince Matthew Kolawole has achieved far better than that of the PDP.
Signed:
Femi Olugbemi,
Chief Press Secretary to the Honourable Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly
