Tight security as Ogun Assembly re-elects Speaker

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Tight security as Ogun Assembly re-elects Speaker

There was a heavy presence of security operatives on the premises of the Ogun State House of Assembly on Tuesday, as 26 lawmakers re-elected former Speaker of the state’s 9th Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo.

The PUNCH reports that the election of principal officers of the 10th Assembly took place after it was postponed last week due to alleged security threats.

Our correspondent gathered that there was tension on Tuesday, shortly before the inauguration of the 10th Assembly and the election of principal officers.

Security operatives were drafted from the police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to the Assembly.

They were stationed both inside and outside the Assembly complex.

Oluomo was re-elected unopposed by lawmakers, who were both members of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

The Assembly has 17 APC lawmakers and nine PDP members.

The previous attempt to inaugurate the 10th Assembly last week failed over an alleged gang-up against Oluomo.

The inauguration did not take place until 1.48pm on Tuesday.

Earlier, the security agents ordered lawmaker-elects, dignitaries, journalists, and well-wishers out of the Assembly complex.

Governor Dapo Abiodun was absent from the inauguration held at the Assembly chamber, Oke Mosan, in Abeokuta.

The governor, however, later hosted the lawmakers at the Governor’s Office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

At the meeting, Abidoun promised to operate an open-door policy to all regardless of party affiliations, religion or tribe.

Abiodun partly said, “I want to promise you that I will be the governor of all. Elections have been keenly contested and some of us have emerged winners; others were not so lucky but the state remains.’’

In his remarks, the Speaker said the lawmakers paid the governor a courtesy visit to appreciate his support for the legislature.