Razaq Bamidele
This coming week will be exciting in Ogun State as the tussle for the speakership seat of the State’s House of Assembly has reached a feverish crescendo!
Our checks revealed that, at the last count, no less than eight lawmakers are eyeing the seat being currently occupied by the incumbent, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olakunle Oluomo from Ifo State Constituency 1. Others who also love to be addressed as Mr. Speaker, according to our investigation are; Salami Fatiu Folawewo (Ifo 2), Tella Babatunde (Abeokuta north), Atobatele Lukmon (Abeokuta south 1), Ayodele Wasiu (Abeokuta south 2), Amosun Yusuf Olawale (Ewekoro), Soneye Damilola Kayode (Obafemi Owode) and Elemide Oludaisi Olusegun (Odeda).
When our correspondent embarked on a tour of the state during the week, top gear preparations and intensified lobbying were going both in the day light and nocturnally too with all the interested contestants and their supporters showcasing why the seat should be theirs this time. However, the sitting Speaker, Taiwo Oluomo was exuding a kind of confidence that appears he is not shaking.
Checks revealed that, the post is zoned to the Central Senatorial District from where all the contestants hail from making all of them qualified candidates in addition to their being ranking members of the House. For instance, Oluomo is coming back for the fourth time while others are either coming back for the second or third time.
Oluomo’s strength, apart from being a fourth timer is his experience as former Deputy Speaker before becoming substantive Speaker in addition to his high maturity standard and ability to hold the House together effectively. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Speaker’s constituency who pledged anonymity confided in our reporter that, the odd is in favour of Oluomo saying, “his tenure fosters Executive/Legislative harmonious relationship,” recalling that, “there was a time the House of Assembly could not function effectively for a long time due to rancorous development in the Legislative Chambers.”
It was on record that, when the House was polarised, seating could not hold as the State Security Service (SSS) shut down the complex completely. But during the first four years of Oluomo that is coming to an end officially in a few days to come, everything went on smoothly thus giving the state conducive environment for development, another source informed.
In addition to that, all other principal political players in the state within the APC retained their positions after the last governorship election of March 8. Governor Dapo Abiodun from the East retains his slot, his Deputy, Engr Naimaot Salako Oyedele from the West also retains her slot. It is against this background that, political observers are of the conviction that, for the sake of equity and fair play, the incorruptible Speaker, Taiwo Olakunle Oluomo from the Central should also be allowed to retain the slot of his district.
However, the situation on ground in Ogun State now, vis a vis the speakership of the state House of Assembly, Oluomo appears to be the favourite of other Lawmakers from the other two senatorial districts- East and West where the Governor and his deputy hail from respectively. It is believed that the duo of the Governor and his deputy are likely to prevail on the lawmakers from their districts not to play a spoiler role so people would not label them betrayers.
Proclamation of the new Assembly by Governor Dapo Abiodun, investigation revealed would come any time from now till Friday June 9 because Monday June 12 is a public holiday for Democracy Day.