
The Ogun State House of Assembly, once a beehive of activities is now a shadow of itself as dangerous reptiles, including snakes and scorpions have taken over the premises.
The Assembly has remained shut following the dramatic turn of political activities in the state culminating in the sacking of the former speaker Tunji Egbetokun by a group of nine lawmakers led by Soyemi Coker on September 6.
Efforts to reconcile the warring factions by stakeholders within and outside the state had failed leaving the once vibrant legislative House comatose. The visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the state which was widely expected to resolve the intractable crises in the state failed to make impact with many residents and political watchers condemning the President’s action during the two-day working visit last month.
However, the failure of Jonathan and the national leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to resolve the crisis did not go down well with many members of the party who expressed the fear that the crises might cost them the forthcoming generation elections. While Egbetokun believes he is the authentic Speaker, Coker also stuck to his gun as the new Speaker of the Assembly performing what his group described as ‘oversight” functions.
“We are in firm control of the Assembly even though we can’t hold plenary session since the one we held about three months ago. However, I can tell you that we are carrying out our legislative duties unhindered by visiting projects across the state,” Mr. Ayo Odugbesan, a lawmaker told Daily Sun on phone.
He added: “Don’t let anyone deceive you, Coker is the authentic Speaker of the House, and I can assure you that very soon, we shall reconvene and hold plenary sessions.
But in what appeared like a counter reaction, a member of the Egbetokun group who spoke on the condition of anonymity said Egbetokun as the constitutionally recognized Speaker would soon return to the House.
“Egbetokun is the authentic Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly. It is a matter of time; I can assure you that he will soon return to his deserved seat. Whoever parades himself as a Speaker is nothing but an impostor,” he told Daily Sun.
The Assembly located at Oke-Mosan Area of the state capital remained under heavy security with both regular and anti-mobile policemen keeping watch on the complex. Even as at last Friday, the two gates leading to the Assembly were still manned by security agents as people were screened before they could enter the complex.
An official who prefered anonimity told Daily Sun since the crisis brewed a few months ago, dangerous reptiles like snakes and scorpions had been sighted within the premises. This may not be unconnected with the continued closure of the legislative House, he confided in Daily Sun.
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