AMILOADED MEDIA HUB NEWS UPDATE
Amb. Ojo Phillip, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate for Osun State House of Assembly, Ifelodun Constituency, in the 2023 general election, has called for active participation of lawmakers in the Assembly, AMILOADED reports.
Phillip made the call in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, Adewale Egbedun, on Monday.
He suggested a bill to ensure measures are put in place to make the Assembly members responsible and accountable in the assignment they have voluntarily requested.
The YPP candidate stated that the participation of all legislators would make the Assembly remains a beacon of integrity and respect, serving the best interests of our constituents and upholding the democratic ideals we hold dear.
Phillip also said the attendance of every session should be available to the public for transparency and accountability, adding that that this will enable the citizens to be abreast of the performances of the lawmakers.
The letter read: Let me start by officially congratulating you and other members of the State Assembly, it gladdens my heart that the house is filled with eighty percents youths and the energy therein upon inauguration has been positive. The up-to-date activities report via social media has also been encouraging, this indeed attested to the power and strength of youth.
“My aspiration in the last election was well taught of, I ran an issue-based campaign, went round my constituency to understand the challenges, well equipped and strongly prepared to make an unprecedented difference with my four points agenda:
“Quality representations, attraction of government presence, emancipation and human capital development, statewide policy suggestions and formulation.
“Despite the outcome of the election and in the best interest of our dear state, I have solidified my thoughts and willing to pass on some of the ideas I believe will be of tremendous benefit to the citizen of the state. One of such thoughts is as stated below:
“Bill of Quality Representation & Accountability
“As stated in Part 2; Section 104 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended); “A House of Assembly shall sit for a period of not less than one hundred and eighty-one days in a year (181)”.
“This affirms the importance of the state House of Assembly in the state, and as such active participation might be the first index of a productive house.
“Therefore, I am suggesting a bill to ensure measures are put in place to get our Representatives responsible and accountable in the assignment they have voluntarily requested.
“This shouldn’t be taken lightly as it is punishable under the law stated in Section 109, Subsections 1f and 3 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended);
“A member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if –
“Without just cause he is absent from meetings of the House of Assembly for a period amounting in the aggregate to more than one-third of the total number of days during which the House meets in any one year” (1f)
“A member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the House if-
“A member of a House of Assembly shall be deemed to be absent without just cause from a meeting of the House of Assembly unless the person presiding certifies in writing that he is satisfied that the absence of the member from the meeting was for a just cause.” (3)
“Also, it is crucial that we collectively strive for an environment that upholds the principles of respect, order, professionalism and discipline. Recognizing the profound impact that discipline has on the effectiveness and reputation of our legislative body, I firmly believe that the following measures, if implemented, will foster a culture of discipline among all legislators:
“Conclusively, I firmly believe that the participation of all legislators in sustaining discipline is essential for the smooth functioning and credibility of our legislative body. By implementing the measures outlined above, we can ensure that our institution remains a beacon of integrity and respect, serving the best interests of our constituents and upholding the democratic ideals we hold dear.
“Also, for transparency and accountability, I suggest that the attendance of every session henceforth be available to the public by any means, this will enable us as citizens to be abreast of the performances of our Representatives to commend cum challenge them when and where necessary.”
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