June 3, 2015 – There are indications that Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa representing Agege constituency I may emerge as the next Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
This is based on a circular which was signed by the Clerk of the House, Ganiyu Abiru. The inauguration of the 8th Assembly which had earlier been scheduled to hold on Thursday 4th June has been postponed till Monday 8th June.
Although, no specific reason was given for the postponement of the inauguration, but there were strong indications that it might be connected with the choice of Obasa as Speaker.
“This is to inform the general public, especially invited dignitaries that the PROCLAMATION/INAUGURATION OF THE 8th ASSEMBLY (Lagos State House of Assembly), earlier scheduled for Thursday, 4thJune, 2015 at the Assembly Complex Chambers, has been postponed till Monday, 8th June, 2015, due to unforeseen circumstances.
“The battle for the next Speaker of the House has been on for more than two weeks. But feelers from a meeting that was held on Tuesday night till early hours of Wednesday 3rd June, showed that one of the fourth term members, Mudashiru Obasa has been endorsed.
Other contenders for the coveated seat included, Rotimi Abiru (Shomolu II), Adefunmilayo Tejuoso (Mushin I), Lanre Ogunyemi (Ojo II), Moshood Oshun (Lagos Mainland II), Mudashiru Obasa, Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa II) and Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun (Lagos Island I).
We learnt that Wasiu Sanni has been nominated to be Deputy Speaker. Sources however disclosed that some returning members were not satisfied with the choice of Sanni.
Though Sanni popularly referred to as Eshinlokun is also a returnee, the aggrieved lawmakers allegedly kicked against his emergence as Deputy since he had served in the House between 1999 and 2003.
Sources in the Assembly confirmed that the lawmakers found it difficult to reach a compromise and that the issue sharply divided the House.
“The issue seriously divided the House and it got to a stage that we didn’t know what to do. Even the party leaders were confused over the matter. We just had to be careful over the matter,” said a source.
It was gathered that leaders of the party gave the assignment to some top ranking members of the out-gone 7th Assembly including the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the House, Kolawole Taiwo and Sikiru Oshinowo, who many see as a kingmaker in the House.
We gathered that other contestants for the position might be compensated with other principal offices or some sensitive committees.
The lawmakers are expected to meet with national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resolve the impasse before Monday.
