Rubber Stamp Republic: How Ondo Lawmakers Became Spectators in Their Own House
by Wándé T. Àjàyí
Lucky Aiyedatiwa announced the appointment of Commissioners and Special Advisers yesterday, and the statement, as usual, read “with immediate effect.” I wanted to ignore it, hoping it was just another mistake like that infamous “reorganization” in the sack announcement a few weeks ago. But here we are, almost two days later, and no one has deemed it fit to issue a correction for this glaring act of executive overreach.
The Governor, in his wisdom (or lack thereof), has decided that constitutional procedures are mere suggestions, tossing them aside while claiming to be efficient. But let’s be honest, my real issue is not even with the Governor. It is with the Ondo State House of Assembly, which has once again chosen to disgrace itself by failing to assert its independence. Rather than rejecting this blatant abuse of power, they have shamelessly allowed themselves to be reduced to an extension of the Governor’s office, just another department under the executive.
Ordinarily, the appointment of Commissioners follows a clear constitutional process. The Governor is expected to submit a list of nominees to the House of Assembly for consideration. The legislators, in turn, are supposed to screen and confirm these nominees, ensuring they meet the required qualifications and are fit for office. Only after this due process should the Governor proceed with swearing them in and assigning portfolios. Even Special Advisers, though appointed by the Governor, still require the House to approve their number and screen the nominees as mandated by law.
But what has Aiyedatiwa done? He has completely disregarded this process, effectively reducing the Assembly to a mere formality, a ceremonial gathering of “aye-sayers” who nod faster than Agama lizards. Do we blame him? No! These legislators have willingly surrendered their constitutional roles on the altar of eye-service and political stomach infrastructure. Instead of acting as an independent check on the executive, they have turned themselves into a rubber-stamp body, ever ready to endorse whatever the Governor throws at them, no questions asked.
Their continued subservience has now emboldened the executive to act without accountability. And of course, they don’t care! After all, what is democracy when there are contracts and political appointments to chase? This dangerous precedent must be condemned by anyone who genuinely loves this state and respects the rule of law. Governor Aiyedatiwa must not be allowed to turn our State Assembly into his personal cheerleading squad, clapping and singing “Yes, Your Excellency!” at every unconstitutional move.