Human Rights Group, CHSR, Kicks Against Rejection Of Commissioner Nominees By Lagos State Assembly 

A human rights organisation, Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR), has kicked against the rejection of 17 commissioner nominees of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State by the state house of assembly.

Addressing the press at the Liberty House, Ijaiye, Lagos on the issue on Monday, the President of the group, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, said that it was wrong for the assembly to reject the nominees without considering their past achievements.

Recall that the Lagos State House of Assembly last week rejected 17 out of 39 commissioner nominees sent to the assembly for screening by the Governor.

Omotehinse stressed that the recent rejection of the Commissioners and Special Advisers forwarded by Governor Sanwo-Olu to the Assembly should be a great cause of concern to all well-meaning Lagosians and the public.

“As social stakeholders, the CHSR is not only taken aback by this resolution but gravely disturbed with likely fatal consequences this seemingly total politicisation of appointments into the State cabinet may have disrupting the enviable developmental template of the State of Excellence.

“Lagos as the fastest growing economy in the African continent, has been striving to transform itself into a mega-city with global standards and indices to copy.

“It is equally the unchallengeable nerve centre of the nation’s economic and political development, which has since, the commencement of this Republic been jealously nurtured its developmental strides by Political stability, unity of purpose has contributed immensely to the sustenance of its developmental goals,” he said.

The activist stated that they were most apprehensive on the prospects of slight rupture in the processes of the state governance, which he said would invariably have viral effects on the country, sub-region and continent.

According to him, when Lagos sneezes, societies would catch cold, adding that Lagos landlords the major seaports and airport in the country, is the
headquarters of all transnational corporations, businesses, financial institutions as well as first abode to all irrespective of creed, status, gender, age or whatever classifications.

The State’s governance craftsmanship over the years, he said, have never been solely left to the whims, caprices of partisan considerations.

“Since 1999, persons of different hues have had cause to serve in the State cabinet, majorly on merit and professional criterial.

“This, no doubt has made the Centre of Excellence to tap from the reservoir of the best brains in the country.

“We do not only applaud this unique essence of Lagos governance, but we also unequivocally identify with it, strongly recommend same for states in the Federation as we strongly warn the Lagos State House of Assembly to be wary of throwing away the baby with the bath water,” he said.

He stated that it is most disheartening that the commissioner nominees were reported to have been rejected on mere voice votes without the Assembly putting forward logical rationales that they were rejected for lack of merit.

He added that they were not aware that some salient interests are always considered when picking political appointees.

“For instance, concerns were raised on the imperative to balance religious composition, geographical spread and even for compensation of loyal political devotees.

“These, however, are never the overriding consideration, merit, needs, stands tower high above any other factors.

“This is why we are overwhelmed with awe on how globally acclaimed, credible professionals like Prof. Akin Abayomi of the Ministry of Health who bailed the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic; Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo Gbenga Omotosho and Sam Eqube of the Ministries of Education, Information and budget and planning respectively, could have been rejected by any diligent, patriotic, growth- minded representatives of the people.

“These are rare breeds professionals, quiet, un assuming social achievers that other saner climes are in dire search for their services,” he said.

He added that “our last alarm to political leaders of Lagos State is to try and wake up from the slumber of any psychological shocks of the last general elections. to fester into conflagrations that would wreak havoc on the developmental agenda of the State.

“Lagos State is strategically positioned to play leading roles in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, caution should not be thrown into the winds with intra-party, adversarial rocking of the boat.

“History has severally validated the fact that when elephants fight, the grass become victims.

“It would be loss of Lagos State if eggheads are sacrificed on the altar of inordinate politics, common Lagosians and the civil populace would inevitably bear the brunt if round pegs are in square in the Commissionership of Lagos State,” he said.