Military caused disrespect for legislative arm -Ex-Ekiti deputy speaker

By  Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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Former Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr. Taiwo Olatunbosun, has said the disrespect being suffered by the legislative arm under the present civilian dispensation was caused by the military.

Olatunbosun stated  the fact that the military was allowed to make laws for the judiciary to interprete during military usurpation in the country , rather than allowing a special body to perform the task damaged the respect for the legislative arm.

He also  declared that the state Houses of Assemblies can only overcome being subservient to the executive arm through financial Independence.

Olatunbosun, who is now the Chairman, Ekiti State House of Assembly Service Commission,said no legislator can be bold enough to confront any unruly governor with the present structure, where governors pay the salaries and emoluments of lawmakers.

The former legislator applauded the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi , for giving the state assembly resonable financial Independence, saying this will give room for constructive engagements between the executive and legislature for optimum performance.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Saturday during an interaction with journalists on his agenda, Olatunbosun , said  the assembly has got approval from Fayemi for the reabsorption of 140 workers disengaged from the commission by ex-governor Ayodele Fayose in 2014.

On the much sought autonomy for the legislature, Olatunbosun clarified that the agitation should  not be misinterpreted to mean that there would be a total severing of relationships between the executive and the legislative arms of government.

Defending legislative autonomy bfurther, Olatunbosun bsaid: “The judiciary is enjoying its  funding from consolidated account, so why can’t the legislature enjoys same as chambers for the representatives of the people?.

On efforts being made to reabsorb the sacked workers,  Olatunbosun stated that “the basis for their disengagement was not stated, but was only done to make people jobless.