Race To Ogun Speakership Tussle Heats Up, As Majority Members Declare Support For Oluomo

ABEOKUTA – The race to who become speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly heat up, as majority of members of Ogun State House of Assembly have accepted to obey the decision of the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun over the choice of Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo as Speaker for second term.

The decision followed after a recent meeting held at the former Governor’s house, Chief Olusegun Osoba in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Our correspondent gathered that the essence of the proposed meeting by the Governor was to appeal for re-consideration of the zoning of the presiding offices in the state assembly, which included the Speakership and the Deputy Speaker.

For the sake of “justice, equity and fairness”, according to Governor Abiodun resolved to use Hon. Oluomo as Speaker of the 10th State Assembly again while considering Hon. Ajayi Bolanle Lateefat as Deputy.

Information revealed that the choice of Oluomo as Speaker has been agreed upon by majority members, including the opposition party PDP and Hon. Oludaisi Elemide who was also eyeing the Speakership position.

It was gathered that the choice of Deputy Speaker has become a controversy as majority members including all the lawmakers from Yewa/Imeko Afon state constituencies kicked against Governor Abiodun’s choice, Hon. Ajayi Bolanle Lateefat, saying that the same justice, equity, and fairness that the Governor used to resolve on Hon. Oluomo should also be considered for Deputy Speakership.

Recall that, elected members on the platform of opposition party PDP have vowed to choose Deputy Speaker among the lawmakers in Yewa/Imeko Afon federal constituency, where Hon. Adegoke Awoso, Hon. Wahab Abiodun Egungbohun and Hon. Jemili Akingbade are representing.

It was revealed that the opposition members from PDP and some lawmakers in APC in Ogun Central, Ogun East and Ifo (II) and Ewekoro state constituency are all in support that Deputy Speaker should come from Yewa/Imeko Afon state constituency but pretending to be on the side of the Governor, insisted that if Governor want a female as Deputy Speaker, it should come from Ijebu Ode.

Meanwhile, the lawmaker from the Deputy Governor’s zone, Ado-Odo Ota state constituency, Hon. Yusuf Sheriff, was said not to have made any decision on his choice for whom to become a Deputy Speaker, the reason for his silence was said to be because of his position in the house as the majority leader.

Other members from the Yewa/Imeko Afon state constituency the likes of Hon. Musefiu Lamidi from Ado Odo Ota (I) state constituency, Hon. Adebisi Oyedele from Ipokia State constituency, Hon. Wahab Abiodun Egungbohun, Yewa North State Constituency (II) Ketu, Hon. Adegoke Awoso, Yewa North (I) Isokan State Constituency and Hon. Jemili Akingbade, Imeko Afon state constituency are said not to be in support of the Governor Deputy Speaker zoning to Yewa South State Constituency, alleged that it doesn’t follow due process.

Findings also revealed that Hon. Oludaisi Elemide was said not to qualify for Speakership due to the several elective positions, appointees, and two major positions who came from his constituency, which included the Ogun Central Senator, who hailed from Odeda state constituency, Hon. Salisu Shuaib, state party chairman, Yemi Sanusi, therefore, Hon. Ajayi is not qualified as Deputy Speaker because of her zone which has Ogun West Senator, Sen. Olamilekan Yayi, Party State Secretary, National Party Exco, Tolu Bankole, House of Representatives, Hon. Isiaq Akinlade among others.

“Therefore, if the Deputy Speakership position can also affect Hon. Jemili Akingbade, representing Imeko Afon state constituency who is a most ranking member in Ogun West, because of the house of representatives member, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka came from his zone, then the same law should also affect the adopted Deputy Speaker of Governor Abiodun, Hon. Ajayi Bolanle”.

As it is, Hon. Wahab Abiodun Egungbohun, Hon. Jemili Akingbade and Hon. Adegoke Awoso are said to be considered for the position.

To this end, the lawmakers maintained that “If truly Governor Abiodun believes in fairness, equity and justice, Deputy Speakership position should also followed due process, else the position should be return back to Ogun East, adding that it will be a big slap on the leader of the two local governments.

The 10th legislature might not settle if the Governor insisted on the choice of Deputy Speaker, as the likes of Hon. Elemide will not be happy seeing her as Deputy because the reasons for his disqualification to contest Speakership is what also affected Hon. Ajayi as Deputy Speaker.