Ekiti Speakership Seat: Few days after Afuye’s death, three lawmakers fighting for position
Barely seven days after the death of the immediate past speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, have no fewer than three lawmakers fighting for the number one seat in the house.
Newsflash Nigeria had reported that Afuye who represented Ikere Constituency 1 died last Wednesday, October 19, 2023, at the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado- Ekiti, where he was receiving treatment after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Three days ago, there was rumoured on social media on Sunday, October 23, that Afuye was poisoned but the Ekiti State Teaching director debunked the rumours.
The Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Professor Kayode Olabanji said the news was fake and urged the public to disregard the misinformation.
Professor Oyebanji said the preliminary results of the late speaker did not indicate he was poisoned nor was any foul play suspected.
He said the final reports which require laboratory investigations will take some days and it’s not likely to have a significant change in the earlier findings.
According to him, there are procedures, rules and regulations guiding autopsy results. Saying whenever the result is ready, it will be given to his next of kin, and not the public.
It was gathered that since Afuye’s death, three members of the House are currently in a fierce battle to occupy the number one seat in the lower chamber.
Recall that the 26 lawmakers including the late speaker in the house are mainly members of the All Progressive Congress.
The three ranking lawmakers wanted to become the speaker and intense lobby as well as underground politicking had begun in full swing among the aspirants, The Nation reports.
Among those said to be eyeing the plum legislative seat are the 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 other party leaders.
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 said 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, the Nation reports.
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 is 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 constituencies in Ekiti Central, who spoke to our correspondent under anonymity, confirmed the race for who to succeed Afuye has commenced in full swing, the Nation reports.
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 support.
Asked 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”.
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