The inauguration of the 10th Ogun State House of Assembly, which was initially planned for today, has been postponed until June 20, 2023, News About Nigeria reports.
Reports suggest that the postponement occurred due to a lack of consensus within the legislature.
The decision to reschedule the event came after strong opposition arose against the candidate endorsed by Governor Dapo Abiodun for the position of Speaker.
The current Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, who is also seeking re-election, is facing a challenging battle as he prepares for the inauguration.
Oluomo is currently facing legal proceedings for allegedly misappropriating N2.5 billion belonging to the Assembly.
Insiders have revealed that Oluomo’s chances of retaining his position as Speaker are slim unless a last-minute resolution can be reached with his opponents.
Despite narrowly winning the election for the Ifo I constituency, Oluomo’s opponents are determined to prevent his return as Speaker.
Among the total of 26 seats in the House, the All Progressives Congress (APC), which currently holds power, was able to secure 17 of those seats. On the other hand, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) managed to win nine seats in the House.
Dissatisfaction with Oluomo’s leadership style has caused rifts within the ruling party and among members-elect who were part of the previous assembly.
Last year, around 16 lawmakers signed a petition for Oluomo’s impeachment, but he managed to evade the plot.
Now, former Deputy Speaker of the House, Oludaisi Elemide, has entered the race for the speakership and is seen as a significant threat to Oluomo’s re-election.
Elemide, a loyalist of former Governor Olusegun Osoba, previously withdrew from the speakership race to allow Oluomo to emerge as the Speaker unopposed during the ninth legislature’s inauguration on June 10, 2019.
With the support of some disgruntled lawmakers, Elemide aims to unseat Oluomo.
However, there are sources suggesting that Oluomo has secured the endorsement of Governor Dapo Abiodun to continue serving as Speaker.
The 17 APC members-elect have been divided between Oluomo and Elemide, leaving the decision in the hands of the PDP members.
Both Oluomo and Elemide hail from Ogun Central, the region expected to produce the Speaker according to the zoning arrangement.
