We remain committed to due process

By Mojisola Oladele

The speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, OSHA, Prince Adewale Egbedun, has reaffirmed the assembly’s commitment to always ensure due process and respect the rule of law.

Prince Egbedun gave the assurance in his remark during the maiden plenary of the year 2024, held at the Assembly Complex, Osogbo.

He explained that the legislature would continue to focus on its core areas of operations with emphasis on accountability and probity and how these have influenced good governance and democratic values in the state.

According to the speaker, OSHA has not wavered in steering legislation towards composite responsibility from the executive arm of government by ensuring that necessary information on public expenditures is obtained from time to time.

He explained that funds appropriated in respect of projects for the state assembly included, renovation of the Lawmakers Quarters, renovation of the Assembly Complex and purchase of official cars for the lawmakers, also payment of arrears of severance allowances to the former members of the 6th and 7th Assembly.

Also, in response to accusations of unaccountability levelled against the House by a group, “Centre for Sustained Dialogue”, Prince Egbedun said he’s discharging his duty as leader of the third arm of government to let the people of Osun State know the commitment of the legislature to due process and its resolve to uphold its tenets under democratic principles.

He dismissed what he called, orchestrated sponsorship of unfounded accusations, aimed to distract the executive and legislative arms of government in the state from the hard business of governance and the collective resolve to navigate the state towards genuine physical and human development.

He said: “Everything we have done so far as this 8th Assembly is concerned has been in synergy with due process and the rule of law.”

“All expenditures approved by the Assembly were done after careful correspondences for the requests.”

“As the speaker, I write for such requests to the executive after due process and unanimous approval by the House. That is my constitutional responsibility as leader of the third arm of government.”

“Ours is to uphold the constitutional mandate of the Assembly, meant to infuse fiscal discipline and accountability through periodic briefings of the media on how public funds are appropriated and expended.”

“I want to assure the people that the Assembly has nothing to hide and will continue to call all agents of government to order whenever infractions are noticed and in the process, help in effective delivery of democratic dividends. And this is inclusive of the Assembly itself,” he added.

Prince Egbedun had earlier welcomed the legislators back from its recess and urged them to be more resilient and embrace renewed determination geared towards creating a more conducive environment for businesses to thrive in the state.

Also during the proceedings, the Clerk of the House, Mr. Simoen Amusan with the approval of the Speaker administered the oath of allegiance to Mr. Tajudeen Alabi Alade as the Substantive Secretary of Osun State House of Assembly Service Commission, replaces Mr. Shola Omiyefa who retired in October, 2023.

Mr Alabi appreciated the speaker and pledged to make the commission one of the best across the nation and a standard for the 8th Assembly.

Also, inter-religious prayers were held at the Assembly Complex, before the plenary to commence the business of the year.

It would be recalled that the legislators had embarked on a recess on 21st December 2023.

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