Osun Assembly not rubber stamp legislature - Speaker

Osun State House of Assembly Speaker, Timothy Owoeye, says the assembly is not a rubber stamp legislature as being rumoured by some residents and opposition in the state.  

Owoeye made the remark while addressing journalists on Monday in Osogbo on the achievements of the 7th Assembly in the last one year.

According to the speaker, Osun legislature has a good working relationship with the executive, hence, there is no need to create tension

“There is cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature in the state, as we in the majority belong to the same political party, have same ideologies and are all grassroots politicians.

“The state government policies and decisions are poised toward development of the state and improvement of the lives of people of the state.

“We work together with Mr Governor to bring out this developmental policies and there is no way we will be fighting the state government’s decision when we are part of the decision- making process.

“People may call us rubber stamp because we are not fighting the executive or fighting decisions taken by the governor.

“We are part and in agreement with the decisions because it is what will make the lives of people of the state better,” he said.

Owoeye stated that the state’s 7th assembly had achieved great feat by being the first to pass eight bills in the space of one year in office.

He said the bills were all development-oriented, adding that people of the state would enjoy the dividends of democracy once they become law and operational.

Owoeye described the signing of the financial autonomy for state assemblies and judiciary by President Muhammadu Buhari as a good development.

He said such executive order would enable the legislature to be financial independent of other arms of government.

The speaker noted, however, that before the signing of the bill by the president, Osun Assembly had always been financially autonomous, as the state government was already providing timely and regular finances to it.

Owoeye supported the parliamentary system of government at the grassroots level in the state.

He thanked the people of the state for their support for the government and the legislature, saying they would do more to improve their lives.