Osun Assembly introduces power transition bill

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The State of Osun Transition Bill 2022 has been introduced by the State House of Assembly to legitimize seamless transition of power in the state.

The bill signals the commencement of hand-over from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Timothy Owoeye presented the private member bill drafted by him during plenary on Monday.

The Bill, which passed through its second reading, aimed at a seamless transition from one government to the other starting from November 27, 2022 when the state will have the Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke at the helm of affairs.

Owoeye stated that the bill when passed into law will allow for a comprehensive and practical arrangement to regulate, in accordance with the law, the transfer of political power following an election to the office of the Governor.

“The bill when passed into law will ensure the provision of daily state of the state briefing for the person elected as Governor during the period before the assumption of the office by the person elected as Governor.

“It will also ensure that salaries, allowances, facilities, privileges and the retiring benefits or awards as determined by the Public Service Rules which are due to the holders of respective political offices are paid or accorded to those persons without undue delay; and to undertake any other function which will enable the team to achieve the object of this bill.

“For the purposes of this Bill, the Team shall first meet not later than 14 days after the declaration of the result of the gubernatorial election. 

“The decision of the team shall be arrived at by consensus, but where the member fail to agree on an issue, it shall be referred to the Advisory Council for the expedition determinations of the issue. 

“The office of the Governor shall prepare a set of comprehensive handing over notes covering the term of the office of the Governor,” the Bill stated in part.