… Gov In Dilemma Over Ex-Speaker’s Fate
… Payback Time For Longest-Serving Lawmaker
Daud Olatunji
Strong indications have emerged as to why Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, dumped his political friend, the former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, seven months after he was imposed on the house for a second term.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that Abiodun was warned against throwing his weight behind the ousted speaker for the third time to safeguard his political career.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that Abiodun, shortly after emerging as the governor of the state, was faced with the choice of two speakership candidates.
Findings showed that based on zoning arrangements, the Speakership slot went to Ogun Central, as both Ogun East and West had taken the Governorship and Deputy Governorship slots.
Abiodun, who comes from Ogun East, was elected Governor and his deputy hails from Ogun West.
The choice of speakership was contested by both Oluomo and Daisi Elemide, who had been elected new speaker, replacing Oluomo.
Both of them slugged it out twice in 2019 and 2023, but the contests were won by Oluomo due to the influence of Abiodun.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that Abiodun was advised to throw his weight behind Oluomo, who was reportedly dumped by former governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun during the party primaries.
An impeccable source told PLATFORM TIMES that Oluomo was not initially given the party ticket by Amosun due to the fear that Oluomo might be too difficult to control if he emerges as Speaker.
Oluomo had been representing Ifo1 since 2011 as one of the strong disciples of Amosun, but he fell out of the camp ahead of the 2019 election.
Oluomo’s political career bounced back shortly after the party ticket slipped from Amosun’s hands prior to the 2019 election to Abiodun, a gubernatorial candidate.
Oluomo was given the ticket, and he ran and won.
The contest for the Speakership was determined by Abiodun, who, alongside party leaders, pressured Elemide to step down for Oluomo in June 2023.
The same thing was repeated in 2023 but was almost resisted, as some lawmakers had planned to elect Elemide contrary to the governor’s decision.
Due to the tension in the House, the inauguration was postponed and after it was reconvened, Oluomo was made the speaker without any election.
However, seven months after, the aggrieved lawmakers struck in a big way and were ready to go to any length to oust Oluomo.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that several attempts made by Abiodun to safe Oluomo failed as the lawmakers, coupled with Oluomo’s adversaries whom he had stepped on their toes, insisted he must go.
PLATFORM TIMES further gathered that Abiodun engaged in wide consultations on the matter, but all were negative.
The governor was reportedly reminded of the happenings in 2007 which polarised the assembly into two factions – G 15 and G11 after the erstwhile speaker, Titi Oseni, was removed.
Oseni was also removed after she was imposed on the house for a second term and was accused of Sundry allegations.
Attempts by the then Governor, Gbenga Daniel, to restore Oseni failed as the house was under lock and key till the end of the administration due to the violence that broke out after the impeachment of the leadership .
PLATFORM TIMES further learned that last-minute efforts by some leaders from Oluomo’s constituency to safe their son also failed as the letter of appeal to the governor to wade in and safe Oluomo did not work.
PLATFORM TIMES, however, gathered that Abiodun was shocked when briefed about some alleged irregularities Oluomo was accused to have committed.
It was further gathered that the aggrieved lawmakers who realised that they had committed a big constitutional error by impeaching Oluomo without serving him the notice, reversed themselves and began the process all over.
Unknown to Oluomo, he was banking on the court case that was billed to take place on February 8, challenging his removal “in a Gestapo manner”, the lawmakers, having listened to some wise counsel, had nullified the first action that took place last week Tuesday where the former speaker was impeached without due process and began all over.
The former speaker, who confirmed that he was served the impeachment notice 24 hours after he was impeached and was given 72 hours to respond as stipulated in the Constitution and the standing rule of the Assembly.
He was also summoned on Monday to an eight-man panel which grilled him on the allegations.
But, the session ended in a deadlock as the speaker had to leave the panel members after he reportedly took an excuse to leave.
Oluomo, after leaving the panel, spoke with the newsmen on what transpired as journalists were barred from the proceeding.
He denied walking out of the committee, explaining that the action of the committee ran against the law and might also be sub judice and had to leave .
On the next line of action, Oluomo said they would meet in court where the interpretation would be given to some actions taken which include his removal.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that there are many people including lawmakers and workers at the assembly that Oluomo had stepped on their toes and saw the situation as the payback time.
PLATFORM TIMES sought the opinions of past leaders and members of the Assembly on the action of the lawmakers on the removal of Oluomo and they all endorsed the action.
The past leaders and members of the Assembly in separate discussions all described the process as “in order”.
Meanwhile, tongues have continued to wag over the quick congratulatory message by the state governor to the new leadership.
The governor was reported to have congratulated Elemide and other members of the Assembly over the development, describing it as exemplary.
While many people condemned the action of the governor on the premises that Oluomo had been loyal to him through thick and thin, many commended the governor for being above board.
Those who commended him said his style of leadership must be commended for not interfering in legislative arm matters and allowed them to solve their problems in their way.
PLATFORM TIMES could not confirm whether the rumour that Oluomo had been romancing the Senator Representing Ogun West, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly called Yayi, who is desperately interested in the governorship seat in 2027 was one of the reasons the governor dumped him or not.
PLATFORM TIMES could not also confirm if the rumour that Oluomo had been negotiating for the deputy governorship slot with Yayi or eyeing the governorship seat as an Egba man was part of the reasons Abiodun dumped him.
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