Akure community insists on producing next Speaker

Indigenes of Akure, the Ondo state capital, yesterday insisted that the slot for the next speaker of the House should be reserved for their most qualified son in the state Assembly.

They maintained that nobody could deny them the state’s number three position in the next Assembly, stressing that it is their right to claim the position.

Speaking under the aegis of Akure Rebirth Group (ARG), members lamented that the state capital had not had its fair share in the political configuration of the state despite its ever increasing population and voting strength at every election.

No fewer than six lawmakers are currently jostling for the position already zoned to Ondo Central Senatorial District.


Among the top contenders are the incumbent Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun from Ifedore local government and Sunday Olajide representing Akure South.

Its coordinator, Fanibuyan Olamide, the group said since the return to democracy in 1999, Akure had continually clamored for a fair dealing and treatment in the sharing of major political positions both at the Federal and State levels.

ARG argued that it was a matter of fairness and social justice to allow an indigene of the ancient city to become the next speaker of the Assembly.

According to the group, “Few weeks to the take-off of the 9th Assembly, there is no need to play ethnic card but to come to term with realities and qualities of what it deserves.

It said Akure was interested in the speakership of the Assembly and had not conceded it to the incumbent speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun, as erroneously claimed in the media.

The group said: “It is worthy to set the record straight that the position of Akure on this matter was well articulated by the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, during a thank you visit by the Governor to the good people of Akure at the St. Thomas’s event centre.

The group countered the argument that Akure could not produce the next speaker because of the position of Secretary to the State Government (SSG) being occupied by one of her indigenes.