Ogun Shifts Proclamation of 10th Assembly to June 20

James Sowole in Abeokuta

The Clerk of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Deji Adeyemo, yesterday announced the  postponement of the much-expected inauguration of the 10th Assembly of the state to June 20.

The proclamation of the legislative arm of the government, was initially scheduled to hold sequel to a letter from Governor Dapo Abiodun.

However, the notice of postponement of the proclamation, through a statement  by the clerk  jolted some lawmakers-elect, who condemned the shift to a new date.

To forestall a likely breakdown of law and order, there was heavy presence of security personnel, comprising  men of the Department of State Service (DSS) and the police at the premises.

Speaking with journalists at the entrance of the Assembly Complex, a member – elect, Olalekan Adeleye (Odogbolu), expressed shock over the postponement of the inauguration.

Adeleye lamented that no letter was issued for the postponement, saying it was only through a WhatsApp message which not all members-elect were aware of.

“What is happening here this morning is strange. We were in high spirits yesterday, hoping that we will resume here at 9am for our inauguration .

“To our dismay, we were locked out and we started asking questions what happened and someone called my attention to a WhatsApp message purportedly sent by the Clerk of the House that the inauguration has been postponed to June 20.

“If at all this is going to happen, there are appropriate ways of communication. The notice of this inauguration was sent via a proclamation letter written by the governor that the 10th assembly would start by June 13.

“And if there is going to be postponement, such proclamation letter should be withdrawn followed by another proclamation letter conveying the new date,” he said.

The member-elect who spoke on behalf of other eight Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members-elect who were also present, added that the sudden postponement was not the best way to start the present legislature.

He noted that no senior management staff was around to talk to them on reasons for the postponement.

Reacting, the immediate past Speaker , Olakunle Oluomo,  urged opposition party members-elect to keep calm over the postponement of the inauguration of the 10th assembly earlier scheduled yesterday.

Oluomo (Ifo 1) informed that the news of the postponement was sent via the platform created for both the newly elected members and the returning ones.

 The former speaker urged the members-elect  not to be disturbed by the postponement,  advising all members to wait for the new date.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has 17 members-elect while the PDP has nine members-elect in the 10th assembly.