Oyo: Who will now hold the gavel

After the death and subsequent burial of Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Michael Adeyemo, the Assembly is set to resume next Tuesday, with election of the next Speaker to be the major agenda of that plenary. In this piece, WALE AKINSELURE points out the various interests that are playing out as well as the odds in favour of and against the candidature of some members touted to emerge the next Speaker.

On April 27, 2018, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Michael Adeyemo died.

Apparently shocked by the news, Governor Abiola Ajimobi who had earlier rushed to the Anatomy department of the University of Ibadan, where the body was deposited, also visited Adeyemo’s family house in Lanlate.

He wrote: “Adesina Micheal Adeyemo’s demise is the greatest loss of the APC’s government/administration. He was a brilliant, eloquent, intelligent, diligent and most patriotic Speaker I ever met. He contributed immensely to the success of this administration. He is a peacemaker, bridge builder and great son of Lanlate.”

During the valedictory plenary held on May 3, 2018, presided over by deputy Speaker, Honourable Abdulwasi Musah, Chairman, Parliamentary Caucus, Honourable Olusegun Ajanaku and Honourable Gbenga Oyekola, who spoke on behalf of other members, described their late leader as “an apostle of peace and stability, a man dedicated to the service of God and humanity, a team player, a go-getter and an adherent of the philosophy of live and lets live.”

No doubt, Adeyemo’s death created a vacuum that is expected to be filled on May 15, 2018, when plenary resumes. Since the death and subsequent burial of Adeyemo on May 3, 2018, various political interests have come to play as to who should be the next person with authority to bang the gavel in the Oyo Assembly.

Topmost in the desire of loyalists of Governor Ajimobi-led executive would be the emergence of a Speaker who offers the late Adeyemo’s kind of loyalty, amicable executive-legislature relationship.

On the other hand, some members of the House of Assembly crave for independence to select their Speaker without abiding by the choice of Governor Ajimobi. Also, the factions, especially the LAMIST, those who claim to belong to the Lam Adesina school of politics, in the All Progressives Party (APC) in the state are scheming on having their own occupy the strategic position of Speaker put them in good stead ahead the 2019 elections. Furthermore, there is the religion/zoning consideration that will also determine the choice of the next Speaker.

The ranking officers, all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who are in good stead to be voted the next Speaker are the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Abdulwasi Musah (Saki West); Majority Leader, Honourable Kehinde Subair (Ibadan South West I); Deputy Majority Leader, Honourable Oyatokun Oyaleke (Afijio); Chief Whip, Honourable Akinmoyede Olafioye (Lagelu); Deputy Chief Whip, Honourable Olaleru Adebayo (Kajola); Chairman, Parliamentary, Honourable Segun Ajanaku (Ibadan South West II); Minority Leader, Honourable Olagunju Ojo (Oriire).

Meanwhile, there is an outsider chance for member representing Ibarapa Central/Central constituency, Honourable Jimoh Akintunde, should political interests insist that Ibarapa zone, where the late Speaker hails from, still retains the Speakership.

 

Honourable Abdulwasi Musah: 

The deputy Speaker, from Saki West constituency in Oke Ogun zone of the state, has shown capability and knowledge of the legislature to lead the house. In the absence of the Speaker, Musah has on three occasions taken charge of plenary. 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. According to House rule, 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 as Speaker-elect Musah who some claim to be a member of LAMIST  faction in the All Progressives Congress (APC), therefore faces a battle from those on the SENACO divide. Observers also question the possibility of having the Speaker from Oke-Ogun zone when the deputy governor, Moses Adeyemo, is from the zone. Some political observers also note that Musah should also appropriately weigh the risks of going for Speakership considering the politics that could play out against him losing out on the two fronts of Speakership and Deputy Speakership.

 

Honourable Kehinde Subair:

The majority leader, who is a second term representative, he is one lawmaker who, after the late Speaker, has easy access to the governor, from time to time. As Majority Leader, he has presented several executive bills apart from personal motions on pertinent issues affecting the state. Subair was a close ally of the late Speaker and is a key figure in the politics of the House of Assembly. In his presentations at plenary, Subair shows deep understanding of the politics of the Assembly and that of the state at large. Recently, he, alongside some members of the APC caucus in the Assembly, were present during the call for Ajimobi to run for Senate in 2019. However, Subair hails from the same Ibadan zone as the governor, and is a Muslim. Observers will wonder whether the Assembly will support a Muslim-Muslim leadership considering that the current deputy Speaker is also a Muslim, as well as have both the number one and number three persons in Ibadan.

 

Honourable Oyatokun Oyaleke:

Should the Speakership be seeded to Oyo zone, Oyatokun has a chance of becoming Speaker. In the absence of the Majority leader, Oyatokun has shown capability. Moreover, 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. The drawback he has is that Oyo zone produced the penultimate Speaker, Monsurat Sunmonu.

 

Honourable Akinmoyede Olafioye:

Popularly called “Lafi”, the Chief Whip is a thoroughbred politician in the state. Prior to being elected member of the legislature, Olafioye has served as local government Chairman. When there were reports of plans to impeach the late Speaker, Michael Adeyemo, Olafioye was one of those who openly debunked the plans. He is one of those who were loyal to the late Adeyemo. One noteworthy motion moved by Olafioye was on the need for the State Joint Local Government Account Allocation Committee to prioritise the payment of local government staff salary. However, among those members from Ibadan zone to emerge speaker, Olafioye’s chance to is slim.

 

Honourable Olaleru Adebayo:

The Honourable member from Kajola area in Oke-Ogun zone of the state is a soft spoken, easy going, unassuming gentleman. The tall legislator does exhibit intelligence and interrogates issues discussed at plenary in unique ways. Some observers note that his unassuming nature could be found endearing by his fellow lawmakers, the executive and his party, the APC. He appears as that option that can be turned to if stakeholders think that other contenders may present much crisis. Moreover, the late Speaker also emerged from the same Deputy Chief Whip position that Olaleru currently occupies.

 

Honourable Segun Ajanaku:

Ajanaku is highly touted as the best to emerge the next Speaker. Overtime, he has shown loyalty to the Ajimobi led administration and is also respected by members. Ajanaku, is a huge stakeholder in the affairs of the House as Chairman, Parliamentary Caucus. Ajanaku preaches adherence to the politics played by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and colleagues refer to him as “omo Awolowo”. The two-time legislator does not hide his loyalty for the Ajimobi led executive noting that he does not mind being referred to as “iron stamp” as long the relationship between the executive and legislature is peaceful. Ajanaku, a former teacher, is a fine wordsmith, unassuming and a supporter of the late Adeyemo’s management of the Assembly and administration of Ajimobi. Ajanaku is always keen on presenting motions and speaking on issues that relate to the education and health sector of the state. Ajanaku also keys into the religion consideration being a Christian, in fact, a Pastor, which complements the deputy Speaker, who is a Muslim. The reservations about his candidacy is the fact that he is from Ibadan zone, same as Ajimobi.

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Honourable Olagunju Ojo:

“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. He boasts of an unassuming personality and is well respected by members. Olagunju’s candidature is being considered in view of the maturity and experience he exudes to see through the eight Assembly for the one year left for its expiration. Olagunju was one of those that supported the late Speaker and didn’t append his signature for Adeyemo’s planned impeachment. In apparent return for his loyalty, Olagunju was allowed to retain his seat as Minority Leader despite his defection, from Labour Party, alongside former governor Adebayo Alao Akala, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).  Considering that the governor is from Ibadan zone, deputy governor from Oke Ogun zone, Olagunju is also favoured for the position in view of being from another zone, that is, Ogbomoso. However, observers note that his candidature will also need the approval of his political mentor, Adebayo Alao Akala.

 

Honourable Jimoh Akintunde:

Akintunde of 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 may be in good stead for consideration for Speakership. However, political observers argue that Akintunde has not been vocal and forthcoming enough in contributing to discussions at plenary. This, they note, may rule him out.

Beyond the ranking members, some political watchers are of the view that any of the 14 other non-principal officers, who are members of the APC, can also emerge, if politics play out in their favour and if the candidature of the ranking members present much crisis.

Among the fourteen, Honourable Oladipo Akeem (Ibadan North West), Honourable Olaleye Olusegun (Ibadan North II) and Honourable Oyetunji Peter (Ogo Oluwa/Surulere) are those that are serving a second term in the Assembly.

Though Oladipo is a loyalist of Ajimobi, he rarely contributes at plenary but members appreciate his commitment to ensuring that the legislature is appropriately and regularly funded by the executive.

Just like in 2015 when he was outwitted in his intention to become Speaker, Olaleye’s candidature may again not be supported by the powers that be, in view of the fact that he is considered too “Radical”.

Oyetunji, is an experienced member of the Assembly, who softly presents his arguments on issues at plenary. Oyetunji, will, like Olagunju Ojo, may need the approval of ex-governor, Alao Akala, as well as the support of his other members to emerge Speaker.

Other members who are eligible to vie for the Speakership of Oyo Assembly are: Oyebamiji Joshua (Akinyele 1), Agbaje Bolanle (Ibadan North 1), Wahab Muideen (Oluyole); Bolaji Badmus (Akinyele II); Afeez Adeleke (Iseyin/Itesiwaju); Oladeji Olawumi (Ogbomoso North); Sangodipe Michael (Saki East/Atisbo); Akande Solomon (Ogbomoso South); Olalere Adekunle (Ido); Okunlola Silas (Iwajowa); and Oseni Abdulganiyu (Irepo/Olorunsogo).