Joe Okei-Odumakin, a human rights activist, on Tuesday asked the Lagos House of Assembly to make public its reason for refusing to confirm the appointments of 17 commissioner-nominees put forward by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Ms Okei-Odumakin, president of Women Arise, said Lagos parliament needed to clear the air by making its findings public on why the nominees were rejected.

The parliament on Wednesday at plenary, rejected 17 nominees, including former health commissioner Akin Abayomi, information commissioner Gbenga Omotosho, 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 parliament not to politicise the confirmation of the nominees to avoid stalling service delivery of the appointees.

“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,” Ms Okei-Odumakin stressed. “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, however, confirmed 22 other nominees.

The exercise, which was done through a voice vote, was sequel to the screening of the nominees at the assembly’s committee of the whole at plenary.

(NAN)