Gbaja regrets backing Tambuwal for Speaker over APC candidate
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila has expressed regret for supporting Aminu Tambuwal to become Speaker in the seventh National Assembly (NASS) in 2011 over Mulikat Akande who was chosen by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party.
Tambuwal, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), served as Speaker from 2011 and, four years later, went on to become Sokoto Governor in 2015. He will end his second and final governorship term on 29 May 2023.
“I regret it,” Gbajabiamila said while recounting previous attempts by speakership aspirants to oppose candidates chosen by their parties.
He spoke in Abuja at a meeting of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, a coalition of members-elect of the APC and opposition parties in the coming 10th NASS.
The coalition has adopted the anointed candidates of the APC for Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas (North West); and Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu (South East), for the 10th House.
Before Gbajabiamila spoke, the candidate of the APC for Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, accompanied him into the venue, made a short remark and left, per The PUNCH.
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Wase dares APC, joins speakership race
Deputy Speaker Idris Wase joined the speakership race last week despite the decision of his party, the APC, to zone the position to the North West.
Wase, who represents Plateau North Central, insisted it his turn to become Speaker.
“At this point, I will use the words of my leader, emi lokan, emi lokan, emi lokan,” Wase reiterated, quoting the “emi lokan” phrase popularised by President-elect Bola Tinubu, which means “it is my turn.”
Wase said the APC must follow the Nigerian Constitution and ensure his zone is not excluded yet again in the sharing of NASS leadership posts.
“It must also be noted that it is only the North Central in the entire country that has not produced the Speaker in 24 years after the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999.
“Fellow Nigerians, Nigeria is built on the supremacy of the law and the sacredness of the Constitution for justice to reign and to keep the peace in the country,” he stressed.