On Tuesday, Adewale Egbedun, the lawmaker representing the Odo-Otin state constituency, emerged as the speaker of the Eighth Osun House of Assembly.

Mr Egbedun, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member and a first-time lawmaker, was nominated by Abiola Ibrahim, representing the Irewole-Isokan constituency. Areoye Ebenezer representing Atakumosa East-West constituency, seconded the motion.

Akinyode Oyewusi, the lawmaker representing the Ife North state constituency, was elected deputy speaker.

Mr Oyewusi was nominated by Elisha Oderinwale, a lawmaker representing the Ayedire state constituency, and was seconded by Kashope Abolarinwa, a lawmaker representing the Ifedayo state constituency.

Simeon Amusan, the assembly clerk, administered the oath of allegiance and oath of office to the speaker and deputy speaker.

Mr Egbedun, in turn, administered the oath of allegiance and oath of office to the remaining 24 members of the assembly.

In his acceptance speech, the new speaker called on his colleagues “to join hands with him to run a true and new age Osun House of Assembly.”

Under his leadership, he said the eighth assembly would focus on the legislature that would improve workers’ welfare, and infrastructural development, improve people’s lives and work with the executive to develop Osun.

Mr Egbedun, however, said the assembly would revisit the laws passed by the seventh assembly at the twilight of its tenure, especially between August and November 2022, to correct obnoxious bills passed.

In his proclamation address, Governor Ademola Adeleke sought the legislators’ support to achieve his five-goal development agenda of good governance.

Mr Adeleke said since the executive and majority of the lawmakers belong to PDP, the two arms should work towards the same goal of good governance and providing the people with the dividends of democracy.

Mr Egbedun took over from Timothy Owoeye, an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker, who piloted the parliament’s affairs from 2019 to 2023.

Other principal officers elected afterwards include Babajide Kofoworola (Ede North) as majority leader; Adekunle Oladimeji (Irepodun-Orolu) as deputy majority leader. Also, Olawale Akerele (Ilesa West) was elected as chief whip, while Afeez Ibrahim (Olaoluwa) was elected deputy chief whip.

(NAN)