10th Assembly: Elliot, Adams, Meranda, Tobun In Lagos Deputy Speakership Race
Four prominent and ranking members of the Lagos State House of Assembly are currently jostling to succeed the incumbent Deputy Speaker, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun who has moved up the ladder to win the Lagos Central Senatorial District seat in the February 25th elections, WesternPost can authoritatively report.
The four lawmakers are Desmond Elliot (Surulere 1, Lagos Central), Noheem Adam (Eti-Osa 1, Lagos Central), Mojisola Meranda (Apapa 1, Lagos Central) and Abiodun Tobun (Epe 1, Lagos East).
Sources hinted that some other ranking members were also quietly lobbying party leaders but not as openly as the four above mentioned members. In this category are Temitope Adewale (Ifako/Ijaiye 1, Lagos West), Mosunmola Sangodara (Surulere 2, Lagos Central) and Fatai Mojeed (Ibeju-Lekki 1, Lagos East).
WesternPost gathered that the four lawmakers began extensive lobbying for the position immediately they won their re-election on March 18, 2023.
It was learnt that Elliot had reached out to majority of the new members across party line to seek their support for the position.
WesternPost reports that out of the 40 seats in the House, 19 would be occupied by new members. of the 19 new members, 17 were elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while the remaining two are from the Labour Party (LP).
Elliot was said to also rely heavily on the influence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who is not only a close associate of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa but also a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), to win the deputy speakership.
According to a reliable source, Elliot got the support and nod of Gbajabiamila to vie for the position before making it open and that the House of Representatives Speaker had promised to go all out for him to get the position.
In the case of Adams, who is the current Deputy Majority Leader, WesternPost gathered that he had reached out to some members of the GAC and a prominent traditional ruler in his constituency who is a close ally to the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
It was gathered that the young and influential traditional ruler has begun to speak to some major stakeholders in the Lagos APC on behalf of Adam for the position.
Being a young lawmaker with smooth relationship with his colleagues, it was gathered that some of the current first time lawmakers are backing his aspiration while some are watching the body language of Speaker Obasa as to who he prefers as his deputy in the 10th Assembly.
Adams is also seeking the support and blessing of Obasa, as a strong loyalist of the Speaker.
Equally, Meranda, the current deputy Chief Whip, is not lagging behind in the race as she is deploying her influence in the traditional institution of the state.
Meranda, who is the younger sister of the Oniru of Iruland, Oba Gbolahon Lawal, strongly has the backing of the APC leaders from Lagos Central. His brother is also openly seeking support of other traditional rulers for her and this may likely work in her favour.
The most ranking among the four is Abiodun Tobun, who has been in the House since 2011. He had headed strategic standing committees that could help in him in discharging his duties excellently if elected the Deputy Speaker. Currently, he is the Chairman, House Committee on Works.
Tobun is well known and has strong relationship with his colleagues. Like Adams, he is a strong ally of Speaker Obasa.
Among those vying for the position, Tobun is the only one who comes from the Lagos East Senatorial District, a district that has not produced a deputy speaker since 2003.
It was gathered that the GAC members from the district and some lawmakers who are his contemporaries are backing him for the position.
Culled from WesternPost
