As the industrious and bridge builder son of Lanlete laid to eternal rest, the Oyo State House of Assembly is set to resume next Tuesday 15th of May, 2018. The election of the next Speaker of the 8th Assembly will be the major agenda at the plenary.
Insideoyo.com takes a look at the possibility of whom the next speaker of the 8th assembly will be after the demise of Rt. Hon. Michael Adeyemo.
Below are 5 lawmakers from which the next speaker may emerge:
1. Rt. Hon. MUSA AbdulWasi: Honourable MUSA AbdulWasi represents Saki West state constituency. He is the Deputy Speaker of the House. He is Chairman, Business and Rules Committee, that determines the agenda for each plenary. Musah is a lawyer; he has presented various motions and bills and has displayed intelligence in his contributions at plenary. He is the only member in the 8th assembly who has presided over the sitting in the absence of the Late Speaker. During the reign of Late Adeyemo’s speakership, Musa AbdulWasi was loyal, humble to his late boss. He was and is a team-player to his boss in piloting the affairs of the House and Oyo state at large. He has represented his late boss excellently at different occasions and in numerous capacity. He has a mutual and cordial working relationship with his boss.
Just as in the executive arm of government, many people think Musah will replace his late boss but the House rule says the deputy Speaker can only function as Acting Speaker and cannot automatically become Speaker. This means he can only be declared Speaker by nomination and subsequent election after receiving the highest number of votes.
Musa is from Oke Ogun, the same zone with the Deputy Governor of the state.
2. Honourable Kehinde Subair: Hon. Kehinde Subair represents Ibadan South-West I State Constituency. The two-term lawmaker hails from the same Local Government with His Excellency, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi. He is the Majority Leader of the House.
As Majority Leader, he has presented several executive bills apart from personal motions on pertinent issues affecting the state. He was present during the call for Ajimobi to run for Senate in 2019; he belongs to the Senaco faction of Oyo APC. He is a Muslim. Many people begin to wonder if Muslim-Muslim leadership will work, considering that the current deputy Speaker is also a Muslim. Aside from that, he will automatically make the number one and number three persons in Oyo State come from Ibadan.
3. Hon. Oyeleke Oyatokun: Hon Oyatokun represents Afijio state constituency. He is the Deputy Majority Leader. In the absence of the Majority leader, Oyatokun has proved he is able and capable.
Also, Oyatokun, in his presentations or contributions at plenary displays sense of knowledge of issues. He is quite unassuming and keen on contributing to issues that relate to harnessing the agricultural potentials of the state.
However, Oyatokun hails from Oyo zone. The zone that produced the penultimate Speaker, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.
4. Honourable Olagunju Joshua: Hon Olagunju Joshua represents Orire state constituency. He is the Minority leader of the House. He is a member of Labour party.
“Baba Minor” as he is fondly called, is arguably the oldest and most experienced member of the Assembly. He was Deputy Speaker of the Assembly from 1999 to 2003; Deputy Governorship Aspirant of the Action Congress in Oyo State between 2006 and 2007.
Many begin to wonder why a Minority leader will be considered for Speaker. His candidature is being considered in view of the maturity and experience he has, to see through the eight Assembly for the one year left for its expiration. Also, he is from former governor Adebayo Alao Akala’s camp and previous party – Labour Party. Recall that Akala has joined APC, rumour has it that he is a member of the APC although he has not decamped official on the floor of the house.
5. Honourable Jimoh Akintunde: Hon Jimoh Akintunde represents Ibarapa Central/Central constituency represents the neighbouring constituency of the late Speaker. For sake of ensuring that Ibarapa zone does not lose out in the political arrangement, Akintunde is also in the consideration for Speakership. However, observers argue that Akintunde is not a vibrant member of the House. He has not been vocal and forthcoming enough in contributing to discussions at plenary.
The House of Assembly at the last sitting in honour of the Late Speaker adjourned its next sitting to 15th of May, 2018. Hopefully, on that day, the new speaker of the state will emerge.
Who do you think is the best for the job?
Kindly drop your comment(s)
