‘Man living in glass house shouldn’t throw stones’ — Obasa speaks on commissioners confirmation saga

Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the Lagos state house of assembly, has cautioned those upset over the refusal of the legislature to confirm 17 commissioner nominees recommended by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of the state. 

The legislature had on August 23 declined to confirm 17 of the 39 nominees.

Six of the 17 nominees served in Sanwo-Olu’s first tenure.

The decision of the house has attracted criticisms from various groups in the state.

The Christian Rights of Nigeria (CRN) had accused the legislature of rejecting the nominees on religious grounds.

The group said the decision of the Lagos assembly was motivated by the comment of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), describing the house’s resolution as a move to “stoke religious tensions” in the state.

Speaking during plenary on Monday, Obasa said the house would not succumb to any form of intimidation, including “sponsored protests by some civil society groups and activists” as its actions were “in tandem with the constitution”.

He emphasised the need for a harmonious relationship between the legislature and executive.

“If they (commissioner nominees) have not done well, we have the right to say no. And we have said no, so we are not going to be threatened,” he said.

“And it is good to advise the man living in a glass house not to throw stones, if not, the glass may soon be shattered.

“That is my position as to what has been going on. From the protest planned, to the write-ups and the TV series, all that I have heard.

“To us, we are about the party and we are about Lagos and we will continue to serve our people because we are representing their interest. The people come first before anybody.

“We don’t want instigation and we don’t want conflict. We are working together.

“The house and the executive are family and we will continue to work together. But we need to caution the fourth columnists not to instigate crisis.”