Rotimi Makinde Repudiates Dissolution Of Statutory Commissions By Governor Adeleke, Tasks Him To Rescind Decision
A former lawmaker who represented Ife Federal constituency at the National Assembly in the 7th Assembly, Hon. Rotimi Makinde has took a swipe at Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State for dissolving statutory commissions just as he advised him to rescind decision with immediate effect.
The Ife born politician and APC Chieftain also threatened to go to Court should the Governor refuse to call for reinstatement of the sacked officials, including him (Makinde) who is a member of Osun State Judicial Service Commission.
It would be recalled that the Governor took the decision on Monday, October 30, 2023 and the affected commissions are the State Civil Service Commission, the Judicial Service Commission, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission and the Osun State House of Assembly Service Commission respectively.
Makinde in a statement on Tuesday personally signed by him and made available to the media said:
“I am really stunned to see that Governor Ademola Adeleke whom I had personal relationship with before he became Governor and who once served as a Senator with better understanding of law making would act in a manner that defies the tenets of the rule of law. Even the President of the Federation didn’t have record of removing anyone in statutory offices at the Federal level through use of executive fiat.
“The handlers of Mr. Governor ought to have advised and guided him accordingly on how statutory commissions work, how their membership are constituted, their tenure in office, etc. For example, the Judicial Commission where I belong is of 5-year tenure and was just renewed by the immediate past Governor. The dissolution of these Statutory Commissions on Monday by the Governor is a total aberration and must be reversed forthwith.
The statement further stressed:
“With no intent to embarrass the Governor and his government, I expect Mr. Governor to heed wise counsel and ensure that things are done in an honorable manner and in tandem with extant rules. Meanwhile, tendering of apologies, rescinding decisions or making policy corrections is not new in governance and it isn’t an act of cowardice, it only shows such leadership is matured and has respect for the people, protocol, convention and the grundnorm that govern them to foster cohesion, inclusiveness, peace and progress.
“Indeed, Mankind has always had problems with the rule of law but every nation, even if grudgingly, recognises that the rule of law is at the heart of the social contract. Destroy it and you destroy the social contract and the basis for the community of man and the institution of government. Individuals rulers may abuse it or bend it to their whims and caprices but the rule of law is an open wound. It cannot be ignored because it opens itself to the conscience of political leaders at all levels. The rule of law matters, therefore, Governor Adeleke shouldn’t allow sycophants around him to mislead or make him walk on eggshells.
“Under our laws, the legislature makes the laws and the courts interpret them. If anyone is suspected of breaking the law, the constitution says he must be taken before a judge who will decide his fate. I expect Mr. Governor to toe the line of honor and decency by shifting his ground on this matter otherwise I will approach the court which is the final arbiter to seek redress.” The statement concluded.
