By Kolade Larewaju
THE crisis rocking Ogun State took a frightening dimension Monday as nine members of the 26 member House of Assembly suspended the Speaker; Mr. Tunji Egbetokun and immediately appointed Mr. Emmanuel Soyemi Coker as the new Speaker.

Also suspended were the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Remmy Hazzan and 13 other members all belonging to the Group of 15 legislators who had been at loggerheads with Governor Olugbenga Daniel while all Committees of the House were dissolved.

The contentious N100 billion Bond which is expected to the subject of a debate Tuesday between the House of Assembly and the Executive was also immediately approved for a draw down by Governor Daniel while a Supplementary Appropriation of N26 billion was approved.

Trouble started at about 7.am Monday when nine members led by heavily armed policemen stormed the House and immediately began a sitting with a Mace said to be that of Abeokuta South Local Government after chasing out members of staff of the Assembly who had resumed for duties while others were prevented from gaining entry.

Informed sources however said that only eight legislators actually sat as one of them Fasiu Bakeene was said to have stayed away from the sitting.

Heavily armed policemen, some in bullet proof vest who came in three Land Rovers and a motor cycle stood guards and the gate which was firmly shut preventing anybody including members of the Press from entering the premises of the Assembly.

After about an hour of sitting, the legislators left and summoned a press conference for the Press Centre but was later changed to the residence of one of the legislators, Mr. Bankole Durotolu where the new Speaker, Mr. Coker announced the far reaching decisions of the House which he said included the lifting of the suspension on a former Speaker; Mrs. Titi Oseni and Mr. Omosanya Solaja.

Detailing some of the decisions, Coker said “The House after careful clause by clause consideration of the supplementary budget hereby approved the 20110 Supplementary Budget of N26 billion. The anti-people Resolution 167 is hereby vacated.

“The House met and reviewed the nomination of Elder Yemi Akinwonmi and found him suitable to be appointed as State Commissioner. His nomination is hereby confirmed.

“The nominees of Governor Daniel into Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission are hereby confirmed. This is to ensure credible and fair election at the grassroot.

“Also, after due consultation with our various constituents, traditional Rulers and Chiefs, Labour Unions, Clubs and Associations, Prominent Ogun Stakeholders and Stake owners, we hereby approve via House resolution that the State Government should proceed to the Bond Market immediately to source for N100 Billion in tranches of N26 Billion, N34 Billion and N40 Billion for various outstanding and developmental projects evenly spread across the three Senatorial Districts of the State”

The new Speaker then directed the Clerk of the House; Mr. Demola Badejo to give effect to all the Resolutions and requested the Commissioner of Police and the Director of State Security Services [SSS] to immediately withdraw the security details attached to the former Principal Officers of the House who he said have been suspended indefinitely.

He also directed the suspended Officers to surrender all government properties in their possession to the Clerk within 24 hours and keep away from the precincts of the House.

In the address titled “Operation Save Ogun State from Collapse” Soyemi Coker listed the new officers of the House to include Deputy Speaker; Ayo-Odugbesan Edwards, Majority Leader; Bankole Durotolu, Chief Whip; Musa Maruf, Deputy Majority Leader; Abiodun Oluseyi Moses and Deputy Chief Whip; Salmon Adeleke.

The Ogun State Government however in a reaction washed its hands of the development saying that it was an internal thing in the House.

State Commissioner for Information; Mr. Sina Kawonise said “the Executive has no hand in this matter. It is an internal thing because the House is self governing and it is not the first time they will do this kind of thing. We have no hand in it”

Chairman of Ifo Local Government, Alhaji Sikirulai Olawale Ogundele hailed the development saying that it was in the interest of democracy and development of Ogun State adding that the new Speaker was a level headed person.

He said “It is good for our democracy and development of Ogun State. The new speaker is level headed and highly educated; he will always strive to do the right thing. The House has been working against the progress of the state, dancing to the whims of some Abuja Politicians from the state”

End