As the race for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives thickens, the current Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, has formally indicated interest to run for the position stating that he is most qualified among his colleagues to replace Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the current occupant of the position.
“I humbly put myself forward as your candidate for the Speaker of the 8th House of Representatives. I have been in the House for 12 years now, and eight of those years as the Minority Leader, doing my best with the support of other members of the House to build a vibrant and accountable legislature and legislative process, sometimes at the risk of life,” he said stressing that the House would need experienced legislator like him to adapt to the new spirit of the dispensation.
Gbajabiamila, who led the opposition party against the decision of the ruling party the PDP for Representative Mulikat Adeola-Akande as Speaker producing Aminu Waziri Tambuwal instead said, “I encourage you to see me as a steadying hand, a custodian of institutional history and a strong bridge builder between the House and the Executive.
“As we usher in a new era in Nigerian politics, [an era of accountable governance], it is my hope that with my vast experience in the House you will consider me worthy to serve as your Speaker,” he said and that he has always put the interest of Nigeria in the forefront.
The vocal lawmaker recalled that he led the fight in the House against the 2007 Obasanjo 3rd term agenda and “filed several law suits challenging the Executive on appropriation without the approval of the National Assembly and most recently, the unconstitutional deployment of the Nigerian military during elections.”
The lawyer of 30 years legal practice under his belt promised to maintain the dignity and integrity of the House by running a ‘Peoples’ House’ further stressed that he would bring his track record of legislative and humanitarian services to bear in the conduct of the business of the House.
“I intend to work tirelessly to ensure a House where your wellbeing will be priority and where your capacity to meet the aspirations of all your constituents will be strengthened. I hope that you will put aside all sentiments, examine my track record, my length of service in the House and rest on the understanding that your interest and our nation’s interest will be my focus,” he urged the 359 members.
It would be recalled Gbajabiamila, has worked under four Speakers being a member of the House for 16 years and was one of the firstline member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who canvassed for and influenced several members of the PDP to decamp to the APC.
Should he eventually clinched the position, it would mean that the South West geo-political zone has produced the Vice President in the person of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, a development that may not go down well with other regions particularly the North East and South South that are angling for the position.
Already, Representatives Abdulmumini Jibrin (APC,Kano), who has equally formally informed his colleagues of his intention and Yakubu Dogara (APC, Northeast), are among those that have shown more than casual interest. The new Speaker will emerge June when the House will be inaugurated.
Leave a Reply