By Gbenga Olarinoye, Osogbo

With a few days to the end of the current session of the Osun House of Assembly, the battle for the position of speaker is generally seen as a continuation of the battle that led to the enthronement of the incumbent, Najeem Folasayo Salaam.

The Salaam era witnessed a kind of peace in the state assembly and cordiality with the executive arm of government, the kind of which had not been experienced since the advent of the Fourth Republic.

The reason was simply because all the members were elected on the platform of the APC and were easily influenced by the intentions of the governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

Najeem Folasayo Salaam.

Ahead of the inauguration of the House in 2011, the main contenders at that time were Salaam representing Ejigbo state constituency and Abiodun Adewale Awolola, of Egbedore state constituency. Both of them coming from Osun West Senatorial District.

With both of them back in the House about to be inaugurated, there is much speculation that the 2011 battle may again be reignited.

This, somehow, has set a stage for an intense horse trading among the returning lawmakers and the newly elected ones, as the race towards choosing the assembly’s principal officers gathers pace.

Remarkably, both candidates for the post of speaker have noticeably similar, if not same legislative experience. They both experienced chequered careers having been first elected into the assembly in year 2007 on the platform of Action Congress, AC before they were sacked by the election tribunals. Both men, remarkably returned in 2011.

Factors that may shape Speakership race

Of particular significance is the makeup of the incoming assembly which will have two members elected on the platform of the opposition PDP.

Also, 14 out of the present set of 26 APC lawmakers, will be returning in the next assembly with nine coming in as first termers.

Those pushing for Salaam’s return as speaker believe it will help consolidate on the existing harmonious relationship with the executive, while those plotting his exit are of the opinion that, members’ interest will be better protected by another lawmaker.

There is also the issue that Ejigbo axis of Ede Federal Constituency has returned a member to the next House of Representatives and that is besides the fact that the outgoing senator for Osun West is also from Ejigbo axis.

The pro-change lawmakers, it was learnt, are pushing for switch in Speakership post to assuage the perceived bruised ego of other areas of Ede Federal Constituency and Egbedore local government is believed to be prominent on the radar.

NUMBER OF LEGISLATORS

•APC: 26
•PDP: 2