Politics

10th NASS: Gbajabiamila denies working against deputy, Wase, others

The outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on Thursday dismissed a report alleging that he is working against his deputy, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase and other aspirants who are aspiring for the position of the Speaker of the 10th Assembly.

The Speaker who expressed displeasure over the report through his official Twitter handle, however, reiterated his resolve to abide by the zoning arrangement of the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said: “Today, April 13, 2023, a national daily carried a cover story in which it reported that I was against the aspiration of my deputy, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, and some other aspirants to the office of Speaker in the 10th House.

“I have not declared support for any of my colleagues who have declared their interest.

“I have made my position abundantly clear that there is a need to wait for the party to complete its zoning exercise as I cannot work against my party’s interest and position.

“I am a product of APC’s zoning in 2019, and I shall adhere to that any time the party comes up with its arrangement.

“Anyone, media peddling rumours of my endorsement of any of the aspirants should desist forthwith,” he warned.

Recall that the Speaker had last Thursday held a closed-door meeting with some returning members who had officially and unofficially declared interest in vying for the position.

They include; Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Aliyu Mukhtar Betara, Chairman, House Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Benjamin Kalu and Chairman, House Committee in Land Transport, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

Others are; Chairman, House Committee on Disaster Preparedness, Hon. Abdulraheem Olawuyi, Chairman, House Committee on Water Resources, Sada Soli Jibia, Hon. Abubakar Makki Yalleman and Hon. Sani Jaji.

Meanwhile, a female lawmaker, Hon. Marian Onuoha had on Wednesday formally declared her intention to join the race for the position of the 10th Assembly Speaker, with a clarion call on her male counterparts to step down for her.

Speaking at the end of the meeting, some of the lawmakers who attended the meeting, informed our Correspondent that the Speaker denied allegations of the adoption of Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

In his reaction on the Speaker’s platform, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Benjamin Kalu who attended the Aspirants’ meeting in Abuja, described the publication as deliberate misinformation orchestrated at causing harm.

He said: “I can attest to the fact that in our last meeting with you as aspirants, you (Speaker) insisted that our political party is supreme and as such we must wait for the zoning.

“You appealed to us to stand by the party that gave us the platform. This misinformation is deliberate to cause harm.”

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