9th National Assembly Speakership: APC has not endorsed Gbajabiamila

As the race for the Speakership of the Ninth National Assembly hots up,one of the leading aspirants from the North Central Zone , Hon Muhammed Bago on Monday debunked the news making the round that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC had adopted Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila from the South West for the position.

This was contained in a statement made available to news men in Abuja signed by Hon. Victor Afam Ogene for Bago Campaign Organisation.

The Organization pointed out that for the avoidance of doubt, the leadership of the Party had made it clear that it was yet to make any decision over the zoning of the Principal Officers of the 9th National Assembly among the six geo-political zones.

It stated that Hon Muhammed Bago from the North Central Zone was still much in the race and urged the leadership of the party to consider the Zone for the position since it had not been opportune to produce a Speaker for once since the last 20 years.

The statement reads, “our attention has been drawn to some reports in the mainstream and online media that our political party, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has endorsed Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila for the office of the Speaker, House of Representatives.”

“The report was based on a private ‘source’ within the National Working Committee, NWC of the party rather than official source.”

“We totally discountenance the report. It is untrue, preposterous, ridiculous and at best, the figment of imagination of the writer.”

” Besides, we are also aware of a statement titled “Reaction to Prevailing Questions” by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu issued on Sunday, April 14, 2019.”

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“We have carefully perused the statement and confirmed that there was no mention of any endorsement whatsoever of Gbajabiamila.”

“For starters, the party through its spokesman only ‘okayed’ a move by Senator Ahmed Lawan to interface with his colleagues in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and others.”

“Members of the public would recall that it is no longer news that the party has since zoned the senate presidential slot of the 9th National Assembly to the North east geo-political zone of the country.”

“Onilu’s reaction to the agitation for positions in the House of Representatives was that the party would soon come out with a zoning arrangement.”

“He said: “On Zoning and Leadership of House of Representatives: Our party will soon release the zoning arrangements for the principal positions of the incoming 9th National Assembly.”

“The party will also make its position clear in the coming days on the principal positions in the House of Representatives.”

“To this end, we are persuaded to see the media report as misleading and a conscious fabrication to cause a stir and disaffection in the party and amongst the aspirants to office of the Speaker.”

“The party has not endorsed anybody for speakership. In fact, as a loyal party man, our principal, Hon. Mohammed Bago who is in the race, is also in high hopes that the party would eventually adopt him as the sole candidate for the office.”

“The reason is simple: Bago has the requisite legislative and leadership skills to lead the 9th House.”

“Besides this factor comes even the bigger and more sensitive issue of equity and social justice. Our principal hails from North central zone which has been denied the office in the last 20 years of our democratic experience.”

“We trust our party to do nothing but justice to the zone. We cannot cede a position to a zone that already has the Vice President of Nigeria and other key offices in the present government.”

“So, while we wait on the party to do the right thing – which is to settle for Bago as the sole candidate for the speakership – we urge all stakeholders to critically examine the issues at stake and take a dispassionate position, so as to further engender unity in our great party.”