ADO EKITI—Despite the opposition being mounted by the incoming
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, government, against the creation of 18
Local Government Development Areas, LCDAs, Ekiti State House of Assembly
yesterday directed the State Independent Electoral Commission, SIEC, to
conduct a referendum on the matter.
The House at its plenary session on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti also
transferred the bill on the creation of 18 local councils to its ad hoc
committee for further legislative action.
This followed the motion by the House Majority Leader, Hon Churchill
Adedipe and seconded by Hon Ogundele Folorunso. Adedipe explained that
the motion was aimed at ensuring that proper thing was done on the
proposed councils in the state.
While the only PDP member in the Assembly, Hon Ajibola Samuel in his
contribution, objected to the move, saying the House should stop
further action on the bill.
Ajibola who is representing Ekiti East Constituency 2, cited Order
54 Section 5 of the House Standing Order which forbids the House from
discussing issues already before a law court to buttress his point.
But the House Deputy Speaker, Hon Orisalade Adetunji and Hon Ayodeji
Odu however countered his objection, insisting that the House was
unaware of any case on the issue. While the Speaker of the House, Dr
Adewale Omirin agreed with the submissions of the two lawmakers and the
motion was overwhelmingly approved by members of the House.
Meanwhile, the state government has called on communities with
reservations on the siting of the headquarters of the proposed councils
to properly present their position during the referendum that is
required to complete the process of creating the LCDAs.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr.
Ganiyu Owolabi noted that government’s decision was based on the
yearning of the people and determination to ensure a rapid development
of the state.
No comments:
Post a Comment