By Ebun Sessou

LAGOS—Intrigues over who emerges the next speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly may have overflowed from the camp of the members-elect with prominent party leaders entering the fray to dictate  direction for the members.

Postponement

The intrigues, it was learned, led to the postponement of the inauguration earlier scheduled for today to next Monday. At the heart of the dispute are two members, Rotimi Abiru (Shomolu II) and Mudasiru Obasa (Agege I), both ranking members in the House elected into the Eighth Assembly of the House.

Abiru is presently in his second term and starting a third term while Obasa is in his third term and starting  a fourth term.

Lanre Ogunyemi, Mudasiru Obasa, Rotimi Abiru, Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, Funmilayo Tejuosho and Gbolahan Yisawu

A prominent leader of the party, it was learned, had insisted that the decision on the emergence of the next speaker should be based on ranking. That decision which was allegedly welcomed by the majority of the members-elect it was gathered, saw Obasa taking the ascendancy over Abiru and was set to be elected as speaker today before a last-minute decision to postpone the inauguration.

The prominent leader of the party in the state it was gathered was, however, not pleased with the inclination of the members and thus summoned a meeting with the legislators in his residence for today, a decision that led to the postponement of the inauguration.

Members-elect said yesterday that the decision was to enable the House reach a consensus on the issue.

It was learned that those campaigning for Abiru led by the outgoing speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, and Princess Adefunmilayo Tejuosho were opposed to the earlier arrangement of enthroning Obasa today.

Support of prominent leaders

They were supported by the prominent leader of the party in the state who has influence on the members elected on the platform of the APC, and it is believed that he may sway them towards electing Abiru on Monday.

However, Hon. Funmi Tejuosho who is also starting a fourth term and had initially thrown her hat into the ring before stepping down for Abiru had also sought for the strict implementation of the ranking rule and for the contest to be restricted to her and Obasa, the only other member going to the House for the fourth term.

Ikuforiji’s candidate

While Speaker Ikuforiji, who is not returning is backing Abiru, his deputy, Kolawole Taiwo who is also not returning to the house is backing Obasa.

Ploys by the candidates to outwit one another have overtime been checked by the different campaigns. At one point, the two different camps sought to get the endorsement from the outgoing House through a vote of confidence but such efforts did not see the light of the day.

Agreement not reached

The lawmakers also could not reach an agreement on the issue during their induction workshop at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Amuwo Odofin last week.

Announcing the postponement of the inauguration in a statement issued yesterday, the director of information at the assembly, Mrs. Bose Lambo, said: “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, 4th June, 2015 at the Assembly Complex Chambers, has been postponed till Monday, 8th June, 2015, due to unforeseen circumstances.

“All inconveniences are highly regretted, please.”