Barely
few weeks to the general election, information reaching us from the Lagos State
House of Assembly suggests that underground scheming has begun for speakership
seat of the House. The incumbent speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, having
piloted the affairs of the House to this moment is not seeking a re-election
into the hallowed chamber, rather he sought for the Lagos State governorship
ticket of his party, All Progressives Congress (APC) but lost. However, Hon.
Ikuforiji’s much-awaited exit as speaker has ignited interest for his position
among some lawmakers in the House.
Before
APC primaries for candidates for Lagos State Assembly election, the number of
lawmakers eyeing the speakership seat was more than those seeking the office
now. Reason being that some of them lost the primary to another candidate of
the party, thereby cutting short their speakership ambition.
As you read this piece, though, election is
weeks away, sources close to the Legislative House divulged to us that
clandestine moves have commenced in the House among lawmakers as to who steps
into Hon. Ikuforiji's shoes. Canvassing is said to have started among the
lawmakers for who they think or want to become their next speaker, as members
of the House have been quietly aligning with candidate of their choice. Though,
it still remained unknown if the incumbent speaker has any interest on who
should succeed him, as it is widely believed that the decision to choose new
speaker of the House is the prerogative of the members of the House, and to
some large extent, the political party.
The
party, as we were made to believe usually rotates the leadership of the House
among the three Senatorial Districts in the State. Insinuation is rife that the
party, APC is thinking along zoning the speakership to Lagos Central Senatorial
District. But the challenge the zone will be facing in producing the next
speaker is the absence of experienced and qualified lawmaker who can be given
the exalted position. Reason being that some of the lawmakers considered to be
experienced enough for the job who come from the zone failed to get their party
return ticket to the House. And standing rule in the House is that a first
timer cannot emerge the speaker of the House, so none of the new comers into
the House can be made the speaker; except for Hon. Olumuyiwa Jimoh, Hon.
Gbolahan Yishawu and Hon. Hakeem Masha who, if they are elected at the poll,
will be serving their second term in the House. But they are believed not to
possess the charisma and enough experience to hold the position. However, those
currently strategizing to lead the House when the new legislative session
begins in June are the current Deputy Speaker, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo,
representing Ajeromi-Ifelodun constituency1, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuoso,
representing Mushin constituency 1, Hon.Mudashiru Obasa representing Agege
constituency 01, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, representing Eti-Osa constituency 11,
Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, representing Ikorodu constituency 1, Hon. Moshood Oshun,
representing Lagos Mainland constituency 11, Hon. Rotimi Abiru, the current
deputy Chief Whip and represents Shomolu constituency 11. Meanwhile, from all
the interested candidates for Hon. Ikuforiji's seat, impeccable sources within
the Assembly revealed that it perhaps, would be strictly between Hon. Kolawole
Taiwo and Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuoso. Both of them have been heading very
sensitive positions ever since they've been in the House. Aside that, they are
currently spending longer terms in the House more than others seeking the
position. Hon. Obasa is also believed in some quarters to also stand a chance
against both Hon. Taiwo and Hon. Tejuoso, but he does not have the kind of
followership they (Hon. Taiwo and Hon. Tejuoso) have in the House, though, he
has been member of the House since 2003; the protest against him in his
constituency for his reelection for 4th term is a kind of dent on his personality.
Hon. Kolawole Taiwo will probably be backing on his position as the deputy
speaker to emerge the speaker, but, just like Hon. Obasa, he came up against
stiff challenge in his constituency before he could pick the party ticket for
the election.
Sources
in his constituency, Ajeromi Ifelodun said some people are still disgruntled
over his emergence as the party candidate, though, he is said to be a good
contributor on the floor of the House, his 5th term return ticket to the House
is not going down well with some people in his constituency. Hon. Adefunmilayo
Tejuoso, is the most experienced female member of the House. The lawyer was
once the Deputy Speaker of the House. Apart from being a top ranking member,
she is also said to be one of the most vocal members of the House and she has
also served the House and her party diligently in many capacities.
According to political analysts, unlike the
opposition party, PDP, APC seldom give women in their parties a leadership
role, except playing second fiddle to men. Hon. Tejuoso is on the verge of
returning to the House for her 4th term. Since the Lagos ruling party took over
Lagos State in 1999, woman neither headed the executive arm of government nor
led the legislative arm of government in the state.
Analysts further argued that even when the
opportunity beckoned on woman to lead the legislative arm of government at the
federal level in the House of Representatives, APC in collaboration with some
PDP members in the lower chamber scuttled the opportunity in the name of
politics. And this is one of the points the PDP has been using to campaign
against APC government. Analysts argued that this is one opportunity APC has to
correct the misconception opposition, and some people have about the party
concerning womenfolk
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