Musah, Olagunju, Ajanaku in pole position as Oyo speaker emerges Tuesday

Deputy Speaker, Oyo House of Assembly, Honourable Abdulwasi Musah; Minority leader, Honourable Olagunju Ojo and Chairman, Parliamentary, Honourable Segun Ajanaku are in pole position as a new Speaker of the state Assembly, is expected to emerge today (Tuesday).

Though lawmakers are keeping sealed lips on whom they will vote, the three persons tipped to be nominated for election as Speaker-elect satisfy various interests and intrigues that would play up at today’s plenary.

The void in the Speakership seat to be filled today was created following the death of former Speaker, Honourable Michael Adeyemo on April 27, 2018.

Proponents of the candidature of Honourable Musah point to the fact that he had shown capability to lead the Assembly, having acted as Speaker on three occasions and is Chairman, Business and Rules of the Assembly and is also seen as a candidate who is capable of promoting the interest of his lawmakers.

Musah’s nomination is expected to be met by some loyalists of Governor Abiola Ajimobi who fear that he may not offer as much loyalty as the late Adeyemo, as well as his being from Oke Ogun zone of the state where the current deputy governor, also hails for.

Meanwhile, Honourable Olagunju is the favoured candidature of Governor Ajimobi.

At a recent meeting with the state lawmakers, Ajimobi had sold the candidate of Olagunju to them, noting that Ogbomoso zone needed to be represented in government, especially considering the electoral significance of the zone.

Olagunju, a Christian who complements a Muslim deputy Speaker, is also viewed as experienced and well-respected, but like other candidates, needs the votes of his members.

However, there are those who argue that Olagunju has not declared his defection from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the floor of the state Assembly.

Ajanaku, a staunch loyalist of Ajimobi, and Christian is a third likely candidate should members not key into the candidate of Musah and Olagunju.

Those who canvass for Ajanaku’s candidature argue about his loyalty to the Ajimobi led state government hence can continue on the path of ensuring amicable executive-legislature relationship, as laid down by the late Speaker.

The drawback to Ajanaku’s candidature is that he is from the same Ibadan zone and even constituency as the state governor.