On Sunday evening, I was having discussion with some colleagues who are civil servants and professionals in this State. We were discussing the state of the nation and the way forward. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, what came out on that day was this question on the newly appointed Constituency Liaison Officers  (CLOs). Incidentally on that Sunday morning, I never knew there was a live programme on OGBC FM where Mr. Speaker was the guest, though I did not listen to that programme. In any case, for some time now, I have not been feeling comfortable listening to OGBC/OGTV.

So, when these people who incidentally are civil servants and professionals mentioned this matter and were discussing about the constitutionality of the appointments, I had to say from the way I understood it and I had to borrow a lea from what happened during the Shagari period. Yes, it is not in the Constitution, but the Executive has the right to make certain appointments, there is no doubt about that, but it was here in Abeokuta when Mr. President said that despite all pressures from his political associates, he had refused to appoint Presidential Liaison Officers in each state of the federation because he never waned friction between the Presidency and the Governors. He said that he believed the Governors were representing the President in their various States irrespective of their political leanings.

These people asked what the position of the House on the appointments was and II said, the House has no position because it is the prerogative right of the Executive. One of them now said, in any case, we had it on good record that the Governor said he was appointing the people to represent him. This is why I am saying that right from today. I would start to say I am representing my people, because I said it here sometime in December when I was contributing to year 2001 Budget. I still maintain my position and I would not allow any appointee to venture to take over my responsibility in my Constituency using the Executive Governor as a ship. I would not have expected the Governor to go ahead with the appointments without telling us what their responsibilities would be. A lot of our people are from the rural areas and they do not know anything about liaison officers. Somebody would now go to a village and say the Governor has asked him to come and tell the people certain things because he is the Liaison Officer, it is not proper.

There was a party in my Local Government  on Sunday by the Chairman of the Local Government and the Secretary of the Local Government was introducing somebody who was yet to be sworn in as the only representative of the Governor in Ifo 1 Constituency. Honestly, I do not know, but if it is Poverty Alleviation, it is okay.

I still want to advise the Executive to define the functions of the CLOs so that there would not be friction. We are all politicians, if he does not define the functions, I am sure if there is going to be friction anywhere, there is going to be friction in my own Constituency. Because I was elected and if the Executive has no confidence in anybody, it should notify our Constituencies and tell our people to recall us. I was elected; I spent my money and my popularity to be here. I am not feeling jittery of the appointments; honestly I can assure you of that. If we had to contest election tomorrow in my constituency, I will return to this House. That, I can tell anybody.

The Hon. Member for Imeko/Afon (Mr. Adedeji) was preaching a sermon and he was appealing for the reduction in the unemployment rate of the youth, though he said by the end of the year. What do you want them to eat from now till the end of the year? They should start to employ them from today, if possible.

Incidentally, he is the Chairman of the Committee on Establishments. When we are talking of unemployment and they are going to retrench anytime from now, then you are making all these appointments, how do you reconcile all these things? We are a progressive Government.

Honestly, my opinion is that the Government must have contacted vital machinery before making the appointments. The Governor said it yesterday that he never contacted anybody  before he made the appointments. I would not believe it. He never thought he could confide in us; we are not going to stop him.

I have told my people that the Governor has appointed somebody to represent him. I am representing my people and I pray we do not meet so that we can avoid friction.

Thank you.

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