Abbas, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2011, succeeds Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Members-elect of the House of Representatives have elected the lawmaker representing Zaria Federal Constituency, Tajudeen Abbas, as the Speaker.
Abbas was overwhelmingly elected on Tuesday with 353 votes in an “openly declare” ballot system.
His contenders, Ahmed Wase and Sani Jaji, polled three votes each.
The new Speaker was first elected to the House in 2011. He succeeds Femi Gbajabiamila.
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Also, the immediate past spokesman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Benjamin Kalu, was elected Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives unopposed.
Kalu was nominated for the position by Babajimi Benson from Lagos State and seconded by Khadijat Ibrahim from Yobe State.
Benson said the nomination was necessary in the interest of inclusion and addressing perceived marginalisation.
After calling for more nominations with none forthcoming, the Clerk to the National Assembly declared Kalu elected as Deputy Speaker and proceeded to administer the oath of allegiance and oath of membership.