HoR Deputy Speakership: Prince Akinremi Jagaban, The Man Whom The Cap Fits | By Afeez Bello

HoR Deputy Speakership: Prince Akinremi Jagaban, The Man Whom The Cap Fits | By Afeez Bello.

Restoration of democracy in Nigeria is a blessing, because decades of military rules ushered in violation of fundamental human rights, to a large extent and good development to a little extent.

Bringing back of democracy after General AbdulSalami Abubakar’s regime, and arrival of civilian rule led President Olusegun Obasanjo, retained presidential system of government of two federal houses, such as House of Senate which is known as Upper Chamber or The Red Chamber and House of Representatives popularly known as Lower House or The Green Chamber.

Dedicating itself to democracy in 1999, which brought about the comfort of Fourth Republic for Nigeria, various leaders have been emerging in the lawmaking house ranging from Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Chief Whip and so on.

Politically, the position of Deputy Speaker has been one of the essential and lucrative positions in the Green Chamber since it has some roles and functions to perform such as exercising all the authority of the Speaker in his absence, assisting the Speaker of the House in some crucial roles and so on.

Historically, only one federal representative from Southwest Nigeria has held Deputy Speakership position in Nigeria political history. Since 1999, various lawmakers have held the position of Deputy Speaker such as Chibudom Nwuche (3 June 1999 – 3 June 2003), Babangida Nguroje (3 June 2003 – 30 October 2007), Usman Bayero Nafada (2 November 2007 – 6 June 2011), Rt. Hon. Chukwuemeka Ihedioha (6 June 2011 – 6 June 2015) all under the platform of the People Democratic Party (PDP).

Meanwhile, as the Change Mantra ravelled the 2015 general election which led to the peaceful change of government from the ruling People’s Democratic Party(PDP) to the then Major opposition party which emerged as a result of coalition from different regional party such as Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) under the Leadership of Chief Raheem Bisi Akande and the forerunner of Nigeria politics and Nigeria President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Congress for Progressive Change(CPC) under the patronage of Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari; All Nigeria People’s Party(ANPP); and a factions of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), in Imo State under the aegis of Former Governor, Rochas Okorocha.

Having secured a majority in the House of Senate and Federal House of Representatives, the tide peacefully changed with regards to leadership position(s) in the Red and Green Chamber and this led to the accidental emergence of lawmakers under the platform of All Progressives Congress(APC) to split leadership positions in the house in 2015 that accidentally led to the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara emerged as the Senate President and Speaker of the House, respectively.

Meanwhile, Hon. Yusuf Sulaimon Lasun of APC from Osun State emerged as the Deputy Speaker of the 8th assembly (9 June 2015 – 9 June 2019) and Hon Ahmed Idris Wase as his successor in the 9th Assembly from 12 June 2019 till date.

As the odds favoured Southwest with regards to the position of President and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria that eventually led to the emergence of the indefatigable Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu – Jagaban of Borgu kingdom in the just concluded 2023 general election. The calculation will inhibit Southwest in taking number two, three and four positions in the country because the President-Elect came from this zone but it is important to note that Southwest should not be left out in other lucrative positions.

As Nigerians await the zoning formula from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), agitation for the position of Deputy Speaker from Southwest is gaining momentum and this has triggered unwavering speculations from some quarters because the game is all about interest. Among all the members elect from Southwest, one who is gaining the highest momentum on a daily basis and whom people from Southwest felt that he is deem fit and the most competent for the position of Deputy Speaker in the 10th Assembly is no one other than the Indispensable Prince Akinremi Jagaban under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).

It must be noted that, we do not determine the circumstances of our birth but it is our responsibility to determine the circumstances of our leadership. Whether one joins forces in determining who leads or represents one in one’s constituency or not, one has determined the circumstances of the leader(s) in one’s society by virtue of one’s participation or negligence.

  The emergence of Hon Prince Musiliu Olaide Akinremi in Ibadan North Federal Constituency in 2019 has ultimately changed political dimension and exposed politicians and the masses to socio-political developments and new ideas that helped the Constituents to enjoy dividends of democracy which they have never witnessed. This was as a result of creating something new not only in his constituency and Senatorial Districts, but in the whole of Oyo State. His style of representation attracts large followership across the six geopolitical zones in the State that no federal lawmaker in the Green Chamber ever have.

Besides, his dedication and commitment to the progress and development of his party earned him a fruitful position as one of the  member of CECPC that stabilized the party across the country; conducted a fruitful National Convention that produced the current National Working Committee that worked assiduously in the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Party’s Candidate and the President-elect, Federal Republic of Nigeria. These great achievements cannot be undermined.

Meanwhile, he is the kind of person that we need in house leadership. The Tinubu led government will need someone like Prince Akinremi Jagaban because of his charisma, diligence and intelligence in order to ensure a friendly and fruitful relationship between the executive and the legislature. If the Deputy Speaker is zoned to the Southwest; the industrious lawmaker will use this office to foster peace and promote unity and enhance effective legislation that all Nigerians deserve.