Human rights activist Joe Okei-Odumakin on Tuesday called on the Lagos State House of Assembly to reveal its reasons for rejecting 17 commissioner-nominees.
Okei-Odumakin, also the president of Women Arise, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos after the Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said the assembly would not be forced into making its findings about the nominees public.
Among the nominees rejected are former commissioner for health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, and ex-commissioner for information, Gbenga Omotosho.
Other nominees rejected include Folashade Adefisayo, Yomi Oluyomi, Folashade Ambrose, Barakat Bakare, Olalere Odusote, Rotimi Fashola and Bolaji Dada.
Others are Sam Egube, Olalekan Fatodu, Solape Hammond, Mosopefolu George, Aramide Adeyoye, Seun Osiyemi, Rotimi Ogunwuyi and Olumide Oluyinka.
The activist cautioned the House of Assembly not to politicise the confirmation of commissioner-nominees.
Okei-Odumakin said that politicising it would affect the performance of the appointees.
She said: “In order to clear the air, the House will be fair in the eyes of the public by making its findings on the nominees that were rejected known.
“There is already a public perception that the legislative arm of the State is at loggerheads with the executive.
“Such a rejection is an unprecedented development in Lagos since 1999.
“So by making the findings public, it will instill public confidence and trust in our lawmakers.”
The lawmakers confirmed 22 other commissioner-nominees of the state governor.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa had on Monday, during plenary, said the Assembly would not be forced to reveal its reasons for rejecting 17 of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s nominees for commissioners.