Mudashiru Obasa, the Lagos 10th House of Assembly speaker, says the newly inaugurated parliament will not tolerate executive interference.

Mr Obasa (APC-Agege I) said this on Tuesday in his acceptance speech to mark the beginning of the 10th assembly at its complex in Lagos.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had made a proclamation of the 10th assembly, which marks the beginning of the legislative arms of government.

Mr Obasa was subsequently elected for the third term as the assembly speaker, while Mojisola Meranda was elected as the deputy speaker.

The speaker said the legislature must be allowed to operate independently, especially in line with section 101 of the Constitution.

The speaker said the sanctity of the legislature as an independent body was adequately provided for in the Constitution in accordance with the principles of separation of powers.

“In this regard, no other arm of government is allowed or permitted to interfere with the functioning and independence of the legislature in a manner that will make legislature become subservient or subordinate,” the Lagos speaker explained. “It must be underlined that in any constitutional democracy, the legislature must be allowed to operate independently.”

Mr Obasa stressed that to improve the legislature and establish good governance, the state lawmakers must be steadfast and remove any obstacles in their path, saying that he had faith that they would succeed.

He promised that the parliament would sustain its cordial relationship and robust cooperation with the executive arm of government, pointing out that the 10th assembly would not compromise the sanctity of its institutional independence and constitutional roles.

The speaker further said he expected that resolutions passed by the parliament would be given favourable consideration.

(NAN)