Sanwo-Olu, Obasa meet Lagos GAC over rejection of 17 commissioner-nominees

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa have met with the state’s Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC).

GAC is the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State.

The meeting, held at the Lagos House, Marina, was attended by Mrs. Adejoke Adefulire, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Dr. Yomi Finnih, Ganiyu Olarenwaju Solomon, APC Lagos Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi and other party chieftains.

Observers believed the meeting might be connected with the action of the House of Assembly, which had rejected 17 of the nominees Governor Sanwo-Olu submitted to the Assembly.

Of the 39 nominees screened, only 22 scaled the hurdle, while others, mainly returning former commissioners, were rejected.

The development caused uproar, with many insinuating that the governor and the speaker are at loggerheads.

Obasa had queried the qualifications of some persons nominated by Sanwo-Olu for appointment as commissioners.

He said two of the nominees were rejected, and the rejection was not based on their qualifications, experience or exposure.

In July, Sanwo-Olu transmitted a list containing 39 nominees to the legislative arm for screening for appointment as commissioners.

The House cleared 22 of the nominees and rejected 17, including six former commissioners who served during the governor’s first tenure.

The former commissioners include Gbenga Omotoso (Information and Strategy), Akin Abayomi (Health) and Sam Egube (Economic Planning and Budget).

Others are Cecilia Dada (Women’s Affairs and Poverty Alleviation), Olalere Odusote (Energy Resources) and Folashade Adefisayo (Education).

Obasa had said the decision of the assembly about the commissioner-nominees was final.

“But if there is any reason for us to reverse our decision, if there is and it is germane and convincing, maybe we may, but it is not by threats.

“And in our own estimation, if they (technocrats) have not done well, we have a right to say no and we have said no.

“And it is good to advise the man living in a glass house not to throw stones, if not the glass may be shattered,” he said.

Giving an update on the meeting last night, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Gboyega Akosile, on his verified X handle said: “Governor @jidesanwoolu, Mr. Speaker @mudashiru_obasa and GAC members today after a meeting at Lagos House, Marina.

“This is Lagos, a place where the finest democratic culture reigns supreme for a Great Lagos Rising”.