LG Bosses Suspension: Political solution or not, we’ll get to bottom of investigation – House C’ttee chair 

In this interview with HEAD POLITICS, MUMINI ABDULKAREEM, House Committee Chairman on Ethics, Privileges and Judiciary, Hon AbdulGaniyu Afolabi Salahudeen representing Omupo constituency speaks on the ongoing probe of the suspended Local Government chairmen, the activities of the assembly so far among other issues concerning his representation. Excerpts;

How has your committee fared so far?
So far, it has been a bit interesting and hectic and with particular reference to my committee, we have been able to  familiarise ourselves with relevant establishments within our purview. So we are on track and very committed and ready to provide service to the people
You chair the committee probing the suspended council bosses. Where are we on the issue?
The assignment is being conducted jointly with the committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and it has been very interesting. Our work is still ongoing and we are now in the stage of inviting the executives and management of the Local Government to come and tell us their own side of the story.
What has been your findings thus far and do you think there is still the possibility of some of them being recalled or a political solution recommended at the end of the day, as canvassed the affected chairmen?
Well, by nature of my training as a lawyer, a judge does not know where his judgment will lean towards until when he starts writing it. During investigation, one cannot say what will happen until all the stages are completed and review carried out on all matters that are available. But at this stage, it is difficult to get to a conclusion or to assume.
We learnt some of the invited Local Government chairmen have failed to appear before the committee. Is there any explanation from them on reason for that action?
I don’t think the chairmen of Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Irepodun and Ekiti Local Governments appeared despite that we sent letters of invitation to them and we don’t have any response from them to this regards. It’s only the Director Personnel Managements, treasurers and accountants of the respective Local Government that appeared before us.
Some people are asking that what is the significance of this probe when we already have reports that some of the affected DPMs and treasurers have been replaced already by the government?
As civil servants, the nature of their job warrants that they can be transferred at any time as it is not permanent and they can’t be in office perpetually. One way or the other the assignment can change at any point in time and I think that is want has just happened.
People have raised issues on whether the House can call for the chairmen’s suspension prior investigation into their matter. Is it that the House didn’t follow standard procedures?
The House did not just conclude on suspension and if you look at the allegation that was brought before us, we passed it that investigation should commence. And once there is resolution that such action should start in the affected councils. The only way such investigation can be carried out effectively is for those that we felt can hamper or tamper with the processes and facts to stay aside until the investigation is concluded and they can come back after we are through.
What is the timeline for the completion of the committee’s report?     
We are trying to fast track it and presently we are trying to wind up invitation and then exploit the possibility of going for inspection if there is need for that. But it is the completion of our investigation that will tell us the next thing to do. Hopefully we want to wind up and complete the process in two weeks time except there are other issues to continue with and we will make necessary application at the plenary. But for now, it is too early to say anything to Kwarans. So whether there is political solution or not, mandatorily we must give report of the assignment given to us. But it is very important for people to understand why we are carrying out the investigation inter alia which is to understand the need to correct the problem of why our Local Governments are in this situation, identify and give recommendation on how the executive can come up with the ideal Local Government leadership. We must not lose focus on that key point.
As one that is in the system, were you overwhelmed with what you met on ground?   
I will say though it is a different thing entirely but maybe because I am a lawyer by profession, it has not been too strange. The way motions are prepared or moved in the legal profession before a judge is different from how it done as a legislature. That is why we say education is a continuous process where we learn everyday but because of my profession, it was easy for me to adapt.
How can you describe the experience so far?     
Very interesting and it’s more academic being a legislator because one has opportunity to contribute to any motion being moved by the House and topics that one hitherto had no knowledge about and this is where our experiences in life comes in to assist.
What is your comment on the criticisms that lawmakers do nothing than just sit to collect salaries?
Before now, I was not used to coming to the House of Assembly or plenary and so don’t really know how busy the previous assemblies were. But I know legislative work is not a joke and it is what you do in the morning that engages you till night and yet you can’t finish it. We have to attend plenary three times a week from Tuesday to Thursday, then use Monday and Friday to prepare for committee work, motions and other issues to be discussed. During our recess, we use the period to attend to matters in our constituencies. So the House of Assembly is not a place to relax rather where you come and work and this really engages you if one is a serious person.
How have you fared on your roadmap for your constituency?
We have already started achieving that. I promised my constituency that I will partner with the executive to better their lots through very robust legislation. And this has in no small way affected them. For instance the Governor has approved the rehabilitation of three water works across the three senatorial districts in the state and the one in Igbaja falls within my constituency and that is part of the dividends of democracy to our people.
Considering some of the actions that the 9th Assembly have taken recently, some have opined that you seem to be a rubber stamp to the executive? 
I don’t understand what people mean by that. We are all Kwarans, born and brought up here and we know what is going on. All what has been happening in the House are reflections of that. We don’t need to be spoon fed before we know what to do as legislators as the needs of the people are equally our needs and we know what to do at any particular time. Our actions so far have been prompted by our knowledge of our people and our understanding of their needs.
This House is considered one of the least experienced legislatures in the history of the state. Has that been a challenge for the 9th Assembly?
I don’t know the basis of that narrative. I am 57 years of age now and was called to the Bar in 1998 which is 19 years now; since then, I have been in the legal practice going round the country. Additionally, I was once a Local Government vice chairman for three years. So before I came to the House, I have not been sleeping. The youngest probably among us is a lawyer and we know the number of years that is required to be a lawyer. We have a ranking lawmaker in Hon Saheed Popoola with other top businessmen in our midst that have been engaged all their life.
Have you received any constituency allowance since you came in?
No and you know we are just coming and the state of the economy was not all that palatable. There was the need to put some things right first. Constituency allowance we all know is not meant to go to the pocket of the lawmakers but to carry our projects. The ideal situation between the lawmakers and their constituents is to underhand the yearnings of their people and the need to work towards getting them solved. Constituency allowance for Senators and Local Government may not be much at the end of the day when you consider that they represent two Local Governments at the minimum and that is no joke. That fund is not even enough if effectively used.
The 8th Assembly was foremost in private members bills, but there are fears that such may not be the case for this present legislature?
We are not being tutored and what I will ascribe as the stumbling block for now is that we just resume and there are so many activities going on simultaneously. Many of us belong to more than one committee and we are also carrying out familiarisation and holding plenary. By the time we have resolved the report of committees, then there will be ample time to prepare for bills. There is not restriction for any member over this.
What message do you have for Kwarans and your constituents? 
To tell them that we are committed to our campaign promises and to Kwarans and we will continue and not get fed up with serving the people and the state. I implore Kwarans to be patient with us and at the same time I want to assure them that we will not be sleeping or be indolent in our responsibilities. We are ready to work to achieve a better Kwara for all and by the grace of God, we will reach that height.