Hon. Debo is 32 years old and Oyo state has always been known to be a pacesetter state. A speaker at 32 will reinforce the state’s pacesetter status in Nigeria.
No doubt, the last elections have created a paradigm shift in the politics of Oyo state. The people have decided to go for a change in power and party. Congratulations to the Governor, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde. I have a firm belief in your ability to make great things happen in Oyo state.
For us to have a robust development, there must be a synergy between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. Therefore, one of the questions to be answered as we move forward is; who becomes Speaker?
To find an answer to this, we must first understand that three interests are to be served. First, the interest of the people; second is the interest of the state; and third, the interest of the party with the majority in the house.
PDP has an overwhelming majority with 26 out of 32 members. Meanwhile, only one of them is a returning honourable. This high ranking member is Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, the current member representing Ibarapa East at the House of Assembly.
The interest of the People
The people of Oyo state are interested in having a speaker that can provide visionary leadership for the house; a young, strong, versatile, and intelligent speaker. Adebo Ogundoyin fits into this in its entirety. Among all the PDP elected members, Debo is the only one with legislative experience at the state level.
The interest of the State
Hon. Debo is 32 years old and Oyo state has always been known to be a pacesetter state. A speaker at 32 will reinforce the state’s pacesetter status in Nigeria.
The interest of the Party
There are five political zones in Oyo state namely, Ibadan, Ibarapa, Ogbomosho, Oke-Ogun and Oyo. Ibarapa zone where Hon. Debo comes from remains one of the greatest strongholds of PDP in Oyo state today and this is self-evident. Ibarapa is the only zone in Oyo state where PDP won every post from top to bottom. PDP won the presidential, Senate, House of Reps., Governorship and State assembly elections in Ibarapa. The party did not achieve such a feat in any other zone in the state.
Meanwhile, Ibadan and Oke-Ogun zones have the governor and deputy governor respectively. It makes sense to have the number 3 citizen in Oyo state from Ibarapa more so that the only ranking member in PDP is from the zone. This will also enable the party to maintain its strong state in Ibarapa.
Lest we forget, the people of Ibarapa stood with PDP during the 2018 OYHA rerun election. And the party’s victory at the rerun clearly set the pace for the success at the general elections. Therefore, I urge PDP leaders to get it right by supporting Adebo Ogundoyin for Speaker.
Jamiu Idowu Esho writes from Eruwa, Oyo state.
