Deputy Speakership: Opposition lawmakers Reject Gov. Abiodun Zoning

Crisis has continued to trail the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC),Ogun State chapter on the zoning template for the leadership of the 10th State House of Assembly, as opposition party kicked against exclusion of Yewa North/Imeko federal constituency from the sharing of principal officers of the legislature.

The opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on Monday alleged that the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun moved to truncate the zoning arrangement as plot to adopt Hon. Ajayi Bolanle, representing Yewa South State Constituency as Deputy Speaker emerged. 

Meanwhile, lawmakers - elect of the opposition party, explained that the state constituency where the Deputy Speakership was zoned have several appointees, elective representatives, Senator, House of Representatives member, state party secretary, leaving other zones and constituency in vacuum.

It was gathered that the lawmaker member, representing Odeda Constituency, who is returning for the third term, Hon. Oludaisi Elemide is in loggerheads with the current Speaker over the number seat of the house.

The opposition party argued that if Hon. Elemide is not qualified for the Speakership position due to the several elective positions, appointees and two major position 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. 

They further hinted that the only qualified Deputy Speaker if it will be zoned to Yewa North/Imeko Afon federal constituency is Hon. Wahab Abiodun Egungbohun not Hon. Ajayi Bolanle Lateefat from Yewa South. 

The opposition lawmakers revealed that if the Deputy Speakership position can 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. Adegoke Awoso, a member representing Yewa North State Constituency (I) was also said not to be qualified because of some former principals officers who came from his zone which included, former Speaker, Suraj Ishola, former Commissioner, Jagunmolu Omoniyi, former Senator, Tolu Odebiyi, former rep, Jimoh Olaifa among others. 

The only constituency left to be catered for is Yewa North State Constituency (II) which Hon. Wahab Abiodun Egungbohun, Hon. Adegoke Awoso, Hon. Jemili Akingbade all are said to be considered for Deputy Speaker position. 

Meanwhile, the Ado-Odo Ota state constituency where the Deputy Governor, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele has majority leader of the House, Hon. Yusuf Sheriff. 

The opposition party said "If truly Governor Abiodun believes in fairness, equity and justice, and want the house members to support Hon. Olakunle Oluomo as Speaker for second term, Deputy Speakership position should also followed due process, else the position should be return back to Ogun East.

In another development, all the assembly members frowned at the twenty five thousand (25,000) democracy Day allowance given to them at the MKO Abiola Stadium by the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

They all described the Governor largesse as ridiculous.

Moreso, the postponement of the Assembly inauguration was the reason why some elected members stormed the Assembly Complex in large numbers to confirmed if it wasn't a plan against them as most of the elected members were not happy due to the fact that they have already prepared for the inauguration, by organizing a memorable inauguration party, but all the foods and money spent on the inauguration was said to be wasted as the inauguration was postponed. 

All these was said to left the opposition party to insist and support Hon. Oluomo as Speaker but kicked against Hon. Ajayi as Deputy Speaker and ready to support any other person as Deputy Speaker.