The Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Timothy Owoeye, has chided the minority leader of the house, Hon Kofoworola Adewumi, for accusing him and Governor Gboyega Oyetola of unfair treatment.
Owoeye described the minority leader as a learner, being a first timer in the house, saying that Adewumi will soon understand the procedure of law making.
The minority leader was said to have accused Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the speaker of unfair treatment.
The minority leader, Adewuki, was said to have alleged that he and two other lawmakers elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were denied the right as principal officers of the assembly.
In an interview purportedly granted by Adewumi, he was quoted to have said that, “It is correct that I’m the opposition leader in the House but the experience so far has been a disturbing one.
“It was the day when Governor Gboyega Oyetola signed the 2021 appropriation bill into law. After the usual ceremony, there was need for Principal Officers in the House to meet the Governor.
“As the opposition leader and a Principal Officer, I moved forward to join others but I was turned back and to my consternation, the reason given to me was that only Principal Officer who are from the APC are allowed. It was so unbelievable but it actually happened and no one can defend that. In a democracy, there is a reason why Minority Leader is considered a Principal Officer.”
In a reaction signed by the Press Secretary to the speaker, Kunle Alabi, and made available to newsmen Tuesday, Owoeye said the minority leader is still learning the process of law making.
He said, “on the issue of budget signing, all the principal officers of the Assembly present graced the occasion without let or hindrance, after the ceremony, everyone departed to their various personal destinations.
“Assuming without conceeding that the Minority leader asked that the PDP members be taken to the governor by the Speaker, is this not laughable when ordinary citizens have been approaching the governor? Do they need the permission of the Speaker as citizens and stakeholders in the state to see the governor?
“It should be put on record that the House as a whole had met with the governor on different occasions with the opposition members in attendance.
“We are in a democratic dispensation, so the Speaker will take all that was said in good stride but we must be fair at all times in our dealings.
“The Minority leader as a first timer is still learning and will soon understand to the fullest the procedures of law making, the 7th Assembly under the watch of Owoeye will be more committed to training and retraining in the new year for efficiency and proper understanding of legislative processes.”
