The leadership of the legislative arm of Great Ife Students’ Union, Obafemi Awolowo University, SRC had earlier on Tuesday, 8th March 2022 summoned its first parliamentary sitting immediately after the official inauguration/swear-in of the union officials by the authorities of the university.
The plenary which took place at Obafemi Awolowo Hall of Residence Cafe in the late hour of yesterday had the presence of the leadership of the SRC, President of the union and other members of the Central Executive Council, and union members who are members of the Gallery.
Presiding over the house, the Speaker of the Students’ Representative Council, Rt. Hon. Ajadi Toheeb expressed concern on the ignorance and inexperienced nature of the Honourable Members of the council towards the union’s traditions and constitutional provisions during the plenary that perhaps happened due to prolonged proscription of the union by the university.
Speaker Ajadi said his leadership will ensure the SRC orientation happens in vast. “The leadership of the house will organise an orientation programme where some Alumni of our union would be invited to educate us on parliamentary arrangement and proceeding,” he said.
In the middle of the house session, different agitations came up by Honourable members complaining about the inability of the Speaker to recognize them when raising hands for reactions, among others.
An Honourable member representing EDUCATION constituency in the house, Hon. Sumbade Jr. said, “The Speaker did not recognize me despite calling point of order until all Honourables stop raising hands for reaction in protest.”
“It seems the Speaker doesn’t know the constitution he is trying to protect because constitutionally, point of order must be heard at all time,” he said.
Speaking with another Honourable, particularly a victim of the complaint, Hon. Lev Mojeed representing the EDUCATION constituency, said, “Well, I think the Speaker has the constitutional right not to recognize or recognize any Honourable at the level of the house. The reason for the Speaker obviously not calling some Honourables who raised their hands is best known to Mr Speaker. I was actually sent out because I raised a point of order. It’s understandable that the Speaker wants to exhibit and show the power of him as Speaker of the house, though it’s out of place to send an Honourable out because he called for a point of order, yet the Speaker exhibiting his power is not out of place too. Only that the Speaker has to be conscious of the way he exhibits power another time.”
“Hon. Lev wasn’t suspended from the house, the Speaker has corrected himself. I believe it was a language or word mistake when the Speaker said he “suspended” him without being specific.”, said Hon. Kolawole Ali represents the SCIENCE constituency.
Hon. Babatunde Amusan popularly addressed as Sir Tee from ART/HUMANITIES constituency also narrated ordeal. “I can not blame the Speaker because what happened in the first SRC proceeding wasn’t the fault of anybody but the prolonged absence of unionism on campus for about five years.”, Hon. Sir Tee said. He, therefore, urges the leadership of the house under Rt. Hon. Ajadi Toheeb to work on a re-orientation workshop to fight the low level of consciousness of Honourables in the parliament.
While interviewing the Speaker of the house, Rt. Hon. Ajadi Toheeb advised all Honourable members to ensure the thorough study of the sacrosanct constitution and traditions of Great Ife Students’ Union to avert unnecessary delay during plenary. “My Honourables should do well to study (not just read) the constitution of our union, the pillar of our union comprises of the constitution and our traditions. My leadership is planning to hold a workshop where past parliamentarians of our union would be invited to educate us about the rules, guidance and traditions of the house and this will even come before next sitting.”, he expressed.
The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) is the legislative organ of the prestigious Great Ife Students’ Union saddle with the responsibility of law-making, budget ratification among others.