Barely seven days after the death of the immediate past speaker of the Ekiti state House of Assembly, Hon. Funmini Afuye the contest on who to succeed him has begun among the lawmakers who are mainly members of the All Progressive Congress.
Afuye who represented Ikere Constituecy 1 passed on last Wednesday evening at the popular Ekiti State Teaching Hospital where he was receiving treatment after suffering cardiac arrest.
The Nation reliably gathered that since Afuye’s, no fewer than three members of the House are currently in fierce battle to occupy the number one seat in the lower chamber.
An impeccable source who is privy to the discussion in the lower chamber hinted that three ranking lawmakers wanted to become the speaker and intense lobby as well as underground politicking had begun in full swing among the aspirants.
Among those said to be eyeing the plum legislative seat are leader of the House, Gboyega Aribisogan (Ikole), the Chief Whip, Mrs Bunmi Adelugba (Emure) and the deputy speaker, Mr. Hakeem Jamiu ( Irepodun/Ifelodun).
The source who is one of the close aides of an aspirant disclosed that high-wired consultation and nocturnal meetings are taking place among the lawmakers with a view to clinching the speakership seat.
It was learnt the aspirants have started lobbying the governor, Biodun Oyebanji, the immediate past governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, his wife, Mrs Fayemi, Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, APC State Chairman, Barr. Paul Omotosho amongst others party’s leaders.
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It was gathered that the odds favour the Emure born politician, Adelugba, as she was said to be enjoying the total support of Fayemi and his wife who were said to have contacted Governor Oyebanji and some of her trusted allies in the House to mobilize support for her.
A source who is close to the ex-governor told our reporter that the decision of the latter to rally support for Adelugba was to ensure a lawmaker of the Ekiti South Senatorial District extraction completes the tenure of the late speaker who hails from the same zone.
In the next few days, the House is going to have a new speaker. As it is now, three lawmakers are in the race but the odds favour Adelugba because the power that be in the Ekiti APC including ex-governor Fayemi and his wife are rooting for her.
“And it’s already a done deal because the governor, Oyebanji, has bought into the agenda. So, any moment from now the clerk would convene a plenary where a pro tempore speaker would preside and subsequently a new speaker would be elected”.
A member of the House from one of the constituency in Ekiti Central, who spoke to our correspondent under anonymity, confirmed the race for who to succeed Afuye has commenced in full swing.
The lawmaker noted that two aspirants had approached him separately for his support to become the speaker, adding that he would queue behind the choice of the party leaders.
“Yes, the race for Ekiti speakership has begun. Lawmakers interested in the seat have started reaching out to us for our supports.
Asked on who he is supporting, the first-time lawmaker said, ” I’m still watching. The choice of candidate will be premised on the position of our leaders. So, I will go where the party goes”.