By Kingsley Fanwo

Kogi House: The Confluence of Confusion

The political crisis arising from the dragged out governorship contest in Kogi State took a new turn on December 10, 2015 when the speaker of the State House of Assembly, Momoh Jimoh Lawal adjourned proceedings in the House to February 3, 2016 following the presentation of an impeachment motion against him that was reportedly endorsed by 17 of the 25 members of the House. As he rushed out that Friday, the members including Lawal’s trusted ally and majority leader, Hon. Matthew Kolawole elected a new speaker in the person of Hon.

Godwin Osiyi. That move has led to fracas with associates of Osiyi alleging brutalisation in the hands of thugs allegedly aligned to Lawal. With the imminent inauguration of a new governor next Wednesday, the issue of legitimacy of the two factions of the House is again coming to the fore. The two factional speakers in separate interviews present the issues from different perspectives.

In this exclusive interview with our correspondent in Lokoja, the embattled Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Momoh Jimoh Lawal speaks about the leadership tussle in the House. Excerpts:

Do we now have two speakers in one House?

I do not subscribe to the fact that we have two speakers. The House is under one leadership and I remain the Speaker of the House. The putsch by some members of the House against the leadership of the House was unfortunate and we will soon get over it. We are one big family and will come out stronger. We had been enjoying peace in the House until some external forces infiltrated our ranks.

Who are these external forces?

Lawal: It is interest play

The political situation in the state has created an atmosphere of confusion. A number of interests are trying to outplay one another and they seem to have shifted their battle to the House of Assembly as the January 27, 2016 swearing-in draws near. We can’t close our ears to strong rumours that some people were bribed to destabilize the House. But just like I said, we remain a strong, united family.

You were accused of incompetence by those against you?

Incompetence is a word that can be interpreted in various ways. But in this case, we can measure incompetence by our achievements. I have been leading this House to pragmatically meet the needs of the Kogi people.

Issues of development

Under my leadership, many laws have been made for the good governance of the state. I have won many awards and we have built the capacity of the House to respond to issues of development. They have failed to tell the people their main grouse and that is my problem with them. Let them tell the Kogi people the main reason they want me out. It is all about politics.

Are there ongoing peace moves?

We are making moves to ensure reconciliation between the two camps and interests. We will continue to do that even as we are on recess. There is no good alternative to operating in a peaceful environment. We are not elected here to come and be fighting one another but to make laws for the good governance of Kogi State. I am sure the leaderships of the two parties are not happy about the disagreement in the House and they are doing something about bringing normalcy to the House.

What’s your reaction to claims that thugs sympathetic to you vandalised the vehicles of your opponents at a hotel in Lokoja?

It is quite unfortunate. Those who know me well know I am a man of peace and I expect anyone supporting me to imbibe my dispositions to peace. What is happening now is a friendly fight by equals and it is therefore absurd to resort to violence. I strongly condemn any attempt at using violence to settle political scores.

What is your relationship with the factional speaker of the House, Hon. Osiyi?

I wouldn’t have responded if his name was not mentioned because we don’t have any factional Speaker. We have only one Speaker in Rt. Hon. Momoh Jimoh Lawal who is the servant of other members. However, Hon. Osiyi is a brother and a colleague. We are relating fine.

It is alleged that the long recess is a ploy by you to stave off the impeachment?

The recess was aimed at ensuring our religious obligations are met. We have no fear over whether I remain Speaker or not. But I need to make it clear here that the recess was not induced by the putsch on the floor of the House. As lawmakers, we must resist the temptation of being lawbreakers.

Despite the famed close relationship between you and the Majority Leader, Matthew Kolawole, why is he supporting those against you?

The Majority Leader is a brother and a respected colleague. In politics, a lot of things are bound to happen. I don’t judge people. I hold no grudge against anyone. Rather, I want to call on all members to put the past where it belongs and move forward in the interest of the Kogi people. We are determined to make Kogi a better place through lawmaking and oversight. With the present economic reality in the country today, states have no choice other than improve their IGR.