Author: The Nation

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District in the red chamber. He was also the Deputy Director General of Akpabio/Barau campaign in the just concluded National Assembly leadership elections. In this interview with RASAQ IBRAHIM, he spoke on the last Tuesday’s election of principal officers for the 10th NASS, fuel subsidy removal and sundry other issues.

The 10th National Assembly was inaugurated last Tuesday. the zoning of the principal officers by the APC generated some controversies as it was not accepted by some lawmakers-elect. Before the inauguration day, were you not worried that the 2015 scenario might repeat itself?

I thank you for your interest in our matters and when I say ‘our matters’ it concerns me just as it concerns each and every one of you because it’s a national project. The 10th Senate to me humbly promises to be a much more organized National Assembly, let me put it that way, than people might imagine. There is no doubt in the fact that the party, All Progressives Congress (APC), took a decision and it’s a decision that cannot be said to have gone well with everybody or everyone involved.

In every democracy, the minority will always have their say while the majority will have their way. As far as I am concerned, I believe what played out was a situation where some interests that were consider not to have been carried along in the decision made by the party are protested, which is normal; Protestation is an integral aspect of democracy itself.

What informed the decision of some of you to arrive at the National Assembly Complex by midnight on inauguration day?

Senators in the camp of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio came to the National Assembly Complex by 4am on inauguration day to avert a repeat of the 2015 move against ruling APC. I have not been able to sleep for the last 48 hours in order to ensure that Senator Godswill Akpabio emerged as Senate President. kept vigil for this victory.

Some people are of the opinion that APC should not have meddled in the leadership of the National Assembly, an independent arm of government. What is your position on this?

What the APC has done, which is to zone the positions to different political zones is not an exclusive preserve of the party. It’s not anything unusual; it’s not anything unheard of; it’s consistent with global best practice in advance democracies. As a matter of fact, in the US, the executive would not only be interested in who leads the Senate.  The elected Vice President is actually the president of the Senate to let you know that the extent to which even though the constitution emphasized the needs for separation of powers, yet the same constitution emphasizes the needs for check and balances among the three arms of government.

And back home in Nigeria, definitely even the minority parties will still do their zoning because principal offices also exist for minority parties. Out of the ten principal positions, four of them will go to the minority; which is the minority leader, deputy minority leader, minority whip and deputy minority whip. As for me, the fact that our party had come up with a zoning formula and some people were not happy about it, was still part of the game.

What is most important is the ability and sincerity of the leadership of the party and of the President and as the leader of the party to ensure proper dialogue among different stakeholders and negotiate where it’s necessary to ensure that no geo-political zone is left behind and no strong or relevant stakeholder is left behind and the party in all fairness, did a lot to ensure that. There were several meetings after meetings. Even after people protested, more meetings were still held before the inauguration.

The whole essence of this was to bring all stakeholders to a round table and to further review the situation and explain things to ourselves. Nobody was ready to take chances when it comes to having the right leadership for the national assembly, but it’s a process and I think the zoning itself, the protest and everything that happened before and during the inauguration are all part of the process, and the aim was to make sure we arrive at somewhere good.

Tinubu’s presidency is just few days in the saddle but some Nigerians are grumbling over the removal of fuel subsidy. What is your take on this and how do you think the government can quickly address the pains Nigerians are passing through at the moment?

Well, I congratulate Bola Ahmed Tinubu that this decision was taken ahead of his resumption of office. Tinubu as the new president did not take this decision. The 9th Assembly working with the former president (Muhammadu Buhari) had passed the 2023 budget, and in that budget, provisions were only made for oil or fuel subsidy until June of 2023. In other words, whether Tinubu talked about it or not, in our budget, they would have no money, not one naira to fund fuel subsidy beyond June of 2023.

So all the president has done was to bring this issue to the fore by letting Nigerians know not just that fuel subsidy will be removed, but by sincerely telling people fuel subsidy was gone because that’s the truth. What is left for our president and its administration is to be able to show capacity, show a scientific understanding of what is to be done as way forward; there must be some crucial approach to this.

But the fuel subsidy removal has brought so much hardship on Nigerians with the hike in price of fuel as well as goods and services?

Fuel subsidy was a scam. It was not in the interest of the masses of our country. It was not the people who were benefiting from this so-called fuel subsidy. It was just a cabal of oil marketers and big players of the oil and gas industry who were profiting from this whole thing. And these are the same people behind even some of these protests that are going on; they will fund this protest.

But you know, what is most important is that government must be ready to descend from an Olympia height to the level of explaining things to the people so that they can understand. I know Nigerians will understand with this new administration if they are made to understand what is actually going on, and I know the government is in the process of doing this. There are all manners of engagement going on with the stakeholders.

Engagement with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), an organized labour circle. There are engagement with the civil society, there are engagement with the top echelon of the forth estate of the realm, the media and all those who need to know so that we can all work together in letting Nigerians know that at the end of the day, all these artificial scarcity been created by oil marketers, all these attempts to take advantage of this development by making the pump price much higher than what we can afford are things that will come down. There are going down and by the law of velocity, whatever goes up must come down. And I think it’s a matter of a few days or weeks, the market will stabilize and Nigeria will be the better for it.

How will you assess Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration in Ekiti using his six point agenda in the last 200 days?

I will say so far so good, he has demonstrated capacity in building consensus with different stakeholders; he has demonstrated capacity in ensuring that he did not inherit the liability of previous administration, either in terms of public perception or in terms of engagement with stakeholders across board in Ekiti. He has not only inherited the strength of the previous administrations he has refused to inherit the negative vibes that people might have against them and I think all of these are coming together for him.

Personally, I’m impressed with what we have seen. He has shown that he understands what it takes to relate with the people as a leader. Mr. governor has shown that he understands what it takes to govern even with the limited resources that are available; defining the priorities of the people, paying workers their salaries, ensuring that pensioners lives are not left in a misery and also ensuring that minimally within what is available, the infrastructural development within the state does not stop. So for me, all of these can only go to show that he understands what it takes to govern and by the grace of God, we will give him all the support that he needs.

The lawmaker representing the Agege 1 constituency of Lagos State at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has been reelected as Speaker of the House for the third term. Assistant Editor, ‘Dare Odufowokan, writes on his emergence as the longest serving Speaker of the oldest State legislature in the country.

 For Rt. Honourable Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, becoming the Speaker of the prestigious Lagos State House of Assembly for a third term is not the only record he currently holds as a legislator. He is also the longest serving state legislator in Nigeria, having won election into the state legislative house first in 2003 and has remained in the House ever since then.

Last week, Obasa was reelected as the Speaker of the Assembly for a third term. His reelection followed weeks of uncertainty as another All Progressives Congress (APC) member of the assembly, Abiodun Tobun, who represents Epe Constituency1, had declared his intention to contest for the speakership of the 10th Assembly. The Epe-born politician had been selling his candidature to members.

There were insinuations that the new assembly had been divided by Tobun’s ambition. Sources close to the fourth term lawmaker had insisted that Tobun would not step down for anybody as he was convinced that he was the man to provide leadership for the assembly at this crucial time. “Tobun is determined and he enjoys the support of many of us,” a lawmaker from Lagos East had said.

Tobun, the first Lawmaker from Epe to be elected for four consecutive terms, is also a history maker in his own right. After weeks of speculations, Tobun finally informed his colleagues including Obasa, of his intention to run for the Speakership, during the induction ceremony for new members which took place at Marriott Hotel, GRA, Ikeja last month.

According to promoters of Tobun’s ambition, he is a well respected lawmaker who is also one of the most active members of the House. “Hon. Tobun is a mentor to many of his colleagues, especially the younger ones. He is a versatile legislator who contributes extensively to debates on the floor of the House. He is known to be active during committee and oversight assignments,” a source had claimed.

Thus, expectations that Obasa will have a smooth unopposed ride to his third stint, as Speaker, became dimmed. But Obasa, being the political gladiator that he is, did not betray any fear. According to his close aides, he was unmoved by the challenge posed by Tobun. Rather, he concentrated on his ambition to lead the Lagos Assembly again. “He merely saw it as another political contest,” a source recalled.

A third term

With the above scenario in place till the day of inauguration, many looked forward to a fierce struggle for the Speaker’s seat. The address of Governor Babajide Sanwoolu on the day he pronounced the 10th Assembly further gave an indication that Obasa would be challenged for the job of the Speaker. Many eyes were on Honourable Tobun and his supporters as the proceedings progressed.

“I want to assure you all that as your governor, I stand neutral in the selection process. My interest lies in how we can work together, irrespective of who assumes what role, to fulfill our shared responsibilities to the people of Lagos State. Each one of you, regardless of position, brings unique value and perspective to this Assembly, and it is through our collective efforts that we will achieve the extraordinary.

“The emergence of the speaker and other principal officers is a decision entrusted to you by the constitution. I trust that you will carry out this duty with the highest level of integrity and respect for democratic principles,” the governor has said as he insisted that he had no preferred candidate for the seat of the Speaker of the legislative arm of government.

But last week, Obasa was unanimously re-elected as Speaker after a proclamation of the 10th Assembly by Governor Sanwo-Olu. He was nominated by Hon. Temitope Adewale, and his nomination was seconded by Hon.Sylvester Ogunkelu who represents Epe Constituency 2. There were no further nominations for the Speakership as Obasa surprisingly coasted home unopposed.

The lawmakers also elected Honourable Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, representing Apapa Constituency 1 as the deputy Speaker. She served as the Chief Whip of the 9th Assembly under the Speakership of Hon. Obasa. Meranda is a third term lawmaker having been in the House of Assembly since 2015 when she was elected for the first term.

Noheem Adams, the Deputy Majority Leader in the ninth Assembly, was elected as the new Majority Leader while Hon. Adedamola Kasunmu was elected the Deputy Majority Leader. Mojeed Fatai who represents Ibeju Lekki Constituency 1 was elected as the Chief Whip while Hon. David Setonji was elected the Deputy Chief Whip.

In spite of the challenge posed by Tobun, by the time the ninth session of the Lagos State House of Assembly officially ended indications that Obasa may return as Speaker were rife and obvious. Political observers claim the Speaker must have pulled all the necessary strings and pressed the needed buttons to ensure that he retained the love and support of the majority of his old and new colleagues.

Before the day of inauguration, returning lawmakers and lawmakers-elect on more than one occasion, declared support for Obasa to retain his seat as Speaker in the 10th Assembly. And as the day drew nearer, less was being heard from Honourable Tobun’s camp amidst insinuations that he may have been prevailed upon to forget his Speakership ambition and back Obasa’s return.

Signs of a return

At the valedictory session of the 9th Assembly, old and new lawmakers spoke of their support for Obasa, who presided over the session. According to Hon. Mojeed Fatai, both new members and the returning lawmakers had resolved that Obasa should lead the House again. “Mudashiru Obasa is going to speak again in the 10th Assembly. He is a man we have all resolved to lead us. When we started four years ago, all of us were elected from the APC and it was because of his effort and the way he handled the House.

“The leadership of the ninth Assembly ensured a cordial relationship among members. Today, we have 38 members from the APC coming in the 10th Assembly. The success is because of Obasa’s leadership capability. He is the best for the House and we want him to continue.” Fatai, who served as chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts in the 9th Assembly, said.

Meranda, the new Deputy Speaker, while declaring her support for the Speaker, openly boasted that Obasa cannot be rivaled in the leadership of the House, said, “I give it to the Rt Hon Speaker Obasa for being able to coordinate 40 members of different backgrounds, different thinking and religions and even different tribes because we had Hon. Jude Idimogu.”

“Obasa is the best man for the job. The experience, capacity and leadership skills are there and I don’t see anybody matching up to him. He will be returning as a sixth timer and I don’t think any of us is on the same pedestal with him. I wish him all the best in the 10th Assembly because he is going to lead us again. He is the man for the job. He is a fantastic man.”

A new lawmaker, Oladipo Ajomale, who represents Oshodi Isolo 2, while speaking on behalf of the new members, said he and his colleagues have resolved to support Obasa as Speaker of the 10th Assembly. There are twenty new members in the 40-member Assembly. According to him, Obasa’s reemergence as Speaker was already a done deal as at that time.

“I can assure you that the 20 of us who are new are fully in support of Speaker Obasa for the 10th Assembly because we have learnt and understudied and we know that this is a man who has proven himself over and over again to be the best man for the job. Logically thinking about it, he is the most experienced in the House. So it doesn’t make sense for anyone to come and do trial by error. I stand with him fully and all of us who are new also support the Speaker to speak for us at the 10th Assembly,” he said back then.

A vote of confidence

Few days before the valedictory session, the Chairman of the Lagos House of Assembly Committee on Transportation, Hon. Adewale Temitope, had said that 39 of the 40 lawmakers-elect wre solidly behind Obasa to be elected as the 10th Assembly Speaker. He said the collective endorsement of Obasa followed a resolution reached by lawmakers-elect to have the Speaker continue with “the good works he started in 2015 and sustained in the 9th Assembly.”

“We now have a Lagos Assembly that other states visit to learn from. We have bills that have been studied by the National Assembly. We have laws that have shaped our State in favour of the people. Through his leadership style, lawmakers are now, more than before, closer to their constituents because we see him living in the midst of his people in Agege and making sure he reaches out to every individual that seeks his attention.

“Lagos cannot afford not to have him as Speaker if the fortunes of true governance enjoyed by the State must be sustained. Obasa is a stabiliser and has sustained the peace and unity in the House. He is a very accommodating leader who is ready to learn and relearn. Obasa has defended the legislative arm of government so well. Today, we have one of the best Houses of Assembly in Nigeria because we have practised all that others are just asking for. He has moved the House from where it was before to be above the common standards of excellence.

“I can tell you there is nobody who will challenge him successfully. If you are talking about loyalty, he is very loyal to the party, he is loyal to the elders of Lagos and above all loyal to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. In all, he continues to uphold the tenets of democracy. This is a man who has practised everything you call legislature and he has been impacting knowledge on every one of us. Moreover, we are going into the 10th Assembly with a House that has many new members.

“As a result of this, he has more jobs to do. He needs to train a lot of people so that the tenets of the legislature and the institution can continue to stand alone in the face of separation of powers,” Adewale added. And as it happened, it was Adewale who nominated Obasa for reelection to the position of the Speaker of the 10th Assembly of the Lagos State House of Asembly last week to complete his return for an unprecedented third term in office.