House of Reprentatives member Hon. Aliu Sani Madaki (Dala Constituency, Kano State) is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with Victor Oluwasegun, he speaks about the battle for speaker and other issues.
The party is silent on the zoning of the Speaker. What does this portend?
My take is that it is not right and proper that the party is taking this long just to bring out the issue of zoning, and that can cause problems in ways one cannot imagine. Because if someone has been campaigning for a long time and you allow it to take very long, when he has campaigned, he has spent resources , he has visited so many people,maybe when you come and say you have zonedita place that does not favour him, there is tendency that someone can say he will still go ahead will his campaign.
That is why I am appealing to the party to say please,because of the unity of this party, bring out its zoning formular. And I can assure you that we, especially the members of this party are loyal party members,we’ll do our best to abide by the decision of the party, because we are sure the party will do that which is in the interest of all.
A new member-elect from Niger State has said that, as new members, they should write their own rules.
Well my advice to the new member is to exercise some little patience, that he will very soon become a member of the 8th assembly, and when he becomes a member, after he has been sworn in then he can bring up a motion for the amendment of our rules and if it is in tandem with the wishes of the vast majority of members as it is the tradition in all democratic dispensation, then we’ll change the rules to what he wants if it’s what the majority wants. But as somebody who has not been sworn in now, he should be mindful of the fact that he’s still not yet a member. If he says he want to write his own rule now, it means someone who is not even a member, or not even elected can come and say he wants to write his own rule. You can re- write the rules when you become a member. And very soon, he is going to be a member, and when he does that, he has every right to re- write the rule as is usually the case.
There is another member from Jigawa State who has declared his intention. The argument is that the new members are more than the ranking members…
Everybody has the right to aspire to be this or that. But I believe there are rules and regulations that guide the conduct of members into the National Assembly. And I am sure nobody will want somebody that is not conversant with the way and manner National assembly is being run, becomes a Speaker. I believe even that person if he has respect for the National Assembly will prefer that he enters the National Assembly and see how the business of the National Assembly is being run, before he aspires to be this or that. But it is, like I said earlier, the legitimate right of every members to want to be this or that, but it should be done within the confines of the rules of the National Assembly of the House of Representatives as the case may be.
Should there be zoning? Among the contestants, who are you rooting for?
I think I personally believe and know for a fact that a vast majority of members- elect into the 8th House of Representatives are rooting for the candidature of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. And for obvious reasons. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has been the minority leader and I have been been opportune to be in the House with him in the last four years. And he has run the affairs of the then opposition party very well. And I think it is right and proper that now that party has become the majority party, that is what is done in developed countries. In the US congress when the Conservative Party, that is the Republican Party, became the majority, automatically the Leader of the Opposition becomes the Speaker of the House of Representatives. I believe if we have developed well, we wouldn’t even be arguing today who will be the Speaker of the House of Representatives, By right, it’s Femi. And if you’re talking in terms of capability, it should be Femi Gbajabiamila. And, if you’re talking in terms of grassroots support, by grassroots support, I mean the support of members- elect, if you’re going by that, Femi is far ahead of any other contestants. Let me say, other contestants that there names are even mentioned, with due apology are not even on grounds terms of support base. It’s just on the pages of newspapers. Or some people are being backed, quote and unquote, by a Godfather who is bent on foisting someone on us. And I’m sure the House of Representatives will not succumb to threat or intimidation from anybody.
You have been in the House since 2011. In 2011, the majority party zoned the position to the Southwest. Speaker Aminu Tambuwal emerged victorious in rebellion. Do you see this scenario playing out again?
Let me recap your mind to what brought about that rebellion. I think it’s very important. I recall when we came in 2011, we were willing to assert our authority and tell the party, PDP then that they have done something wrong. To our understanding and based on what our leaders told us then, there was an agreement in PDP, the North will have two terms, the South would have two terms. By then, Obasanjo had done two terms, which was for the South. Yar’Adua came and started, after two years God in his infinite mercy took away Yar’Adua. It was agreed that Jonathan would complete his tenure and after he completes that tenure, someone from the North would take over as President. But when the time came, the President refused to abide by that arrangement in which he said he should be allowed to do only one term and that after that one term he would go. So, when we came as members from the North, we were aggrieved on that decision.so, when Tambuwal came out and said he wanted to contest for House of Reps Speaker, we said we were going to support him to tell the party that what they did was wrong, that if there was no agreement to zone the Presidency to any section,we don’t see any reason why someone would come now and say there was an agreement to zone the Speakership as it was done then, to the South-West. We came and rebelled against the party, but, if you could remember, e had the full support of the South- West. That was the only reason we have Aminu Tambuwal as our Speaker. Because, if you take away the vote of the ACN, we would not have Aminu Tambuwal as the Speaker.
You mentioned just now that some people are being supported by powers, what do you mean by that?
There is a candidate who is in the race, I don’t like mentioning names, who if you take one person out of the equation, nobody would be talking about his candidature. Dogara is supported by one person, that one single person is the only person, the way I see it, with due apologies, it is coming out to be a contest between Femi Gbajabiamila and somebody, and not between Femi Gbajabiamila and Dogara. Somebody powerful in the National Assembly who is fronting or who is desperately pushing for the candidature of Dogara, for reasons best known to him. Because I know for a fact when we came into the National Assembly in 2011, Dogara was one of the staunch enemies of the House project, I know for a fact Dogara was never in tune. When Gbajabiamila was taking Tambuwal to Asiwaju and other leaders in the south to support his candidature, that time, Hon. Yakubu Dogara was going round everywhere to work against him. That’s a fact we all know. But today to our surprise, the tables are turning. We don’t know the reasons. I’m baffled.
Now what do you foresee in the next few days?
What I foresee is the victory of the people. The victory of democracy. God willing, Femi Gbajabiamila will be our Speaker. The House of Reps has a way of solving its own problems. Anybody who sits and think he will foist a leadership on us is making a big mistake.
One of the candidates from Kano promised new members- elect 75 percent slots as Chairmen and Deputy chairmen, how feasible is this?
I don’t know who that is. I am from Kano and I am not aware. That’s all I would say. I don’t know if there is any other member from Kano, apart from the name you called that is aware of what you’re saying. We’re 24 in the National Assembly, I as a person, I am speaking for myself, I’m not aware, and I don’t know of any member who is aware of what you’re saying.
But I believe everybody has a right to come and aspire for whatever he wants. But as a caucus, Kano, we never sat and discuss the candidature of the person you mentioned.
But that is surprising as he said he had the endorsement of all members from Kano?
That’s what I’m telling you, I’m not aware.and I’m sure other members from Kano too especially this issue you said about endorsement are not aware of it.
There is the story that there is a likelihood of an alliance between Gbajabiamila and one of the contenders, that is Mungonu from Borno State. Do you foresee that?
I believe politics is about negotiations, about give and take. And I believe Hon. Monguno is eminently qualified to be the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and if they have an alliance with Femi, I would support it.because I know the pedigree of Femi and the pedigree of Hon. Monguno. And let me say this, that is why I’m saying if people are bringing names, bring names of people that are accepted in their locality. Hon. Monguno is supported by almost all members from Borno State. He is support by a vast majority of members from the North-East. But other candidate you’re saying is from Bauchi, you can quote me, go to Bauchi ask them to give you names of five people, they’re only eleven, ask them to give you five names that want to become Speaker, out of those five, I am telling you, you will not see the name of Dogara there. Go to the North- East, ask them to give you names of ten people from the North-east that want to become Speaker, Dogara’s name will not be there. So you now come back and ask yourself, what is this Dogara, where is he from? Where is his support base? I’m from Kano, if I want to be speaker I will start from Kano, then I will go to other north western states, then I will move to the North and then I will go to the south. Dogara is from Bauchi State, we have eleven members-elect from Bauchi go round, who is supporting Dogara? In North-east we have six states, go round the six states, who is supporting Dogara? Go and find out. People are not on ground but because they have powerful backers, who believe they can always have their way, because they’ve had their ways for four years in the House of Representatives, they feel now that they’re even going, they must impose their choice on members. Let me assure them, this time around , it will not happen. And my advice to them is to concentrate, God has done something for them, very wonderful. I don’t know if there is any other person who was speaker House of Reps and after finishing speaker, he becomes something. Most of those who finish after being speaker becomes something. Most of them end up hanging around. But God in his infinite mercy made Aminu Waziri Tambuwal Governor of Sokoto State, but he is not thinking about the good he will do to the people of Sokoto State, no, he is intent on foisting…because that is the truth, people don’t like to say it…he is intent on making sure that he saddles us with somebody we don’t like as our Speaker. It will not work God willing. We will revolt against it, like we revolted against those who wanted to make Mulikat Speaker against our wish, that is how we will revolt against those who want to foist Dogara on us. Let me say, I have nothing personal against Dogara but it is my believe he is not qualified to be the Speaker of the House. I believe Femi is more qualified.and I believe as a Northerner, I believe as someone who is from the North- West that we from the North, God in his mercy has brought a situation where now there is an alliance between the south west and the North west, I believe in the interest of Nigeria we should bring the South east, the South South into this alliance so we have a united country. But some people are trying to abort the alliance midstream just for political reasons, just for selfish…let me put it that way…very selfish reasons. I believe it will not augur well for the political development of Nigeria. I think we should be very careful not to bring something that will have repercussions to what will happen in 2019. This alliance has saved Nigerian democracy, by this I’m talking of the alliance we have between the North and the south west. We should bring others on board not trying to destroy that alliance not to break that bridge, we should build bridges not destroy them.
What do you suspect is the reason Speaker Tambuwal is backing Dogara?
Selfish interest…let me put it that way..very selfish interest…personal selfish interest, I don’t know.
We know Hon. Dogara from Bauchi state is heading the House Committee on House Services…
Well maybe that place should be looked into very well. Because with the desperation people are pushing this Dogara project down our throats, I’m amazed, I’m beginning to think maybe people should look very carefully
Into all the things that happened in these four years in the House Services Committee. I believe that place there is something some people are trying to cover. Because I can’t understand the desperation. And like i told you, go to Bauchi, nobody is supporting Dogara, go to North- east, nobody is supporting Dogara, but everywhere you go you hear Dogara’s name. who is supporting Dogara? Just one powerful person who is calling this…he will go to this, go to that, he has access to everywhere. He goes and tell them tales by moonlight. You know tales by moonlight? Because when you know something is not there, I’m telling you, you can verify this: go and check all members- elect from Bauchi they’re eleven, ask you is supporting Dogara except Dogara himself, go to North-east who is supporting Dogara apart from Dogara himself. Check, how many are with Dogara? You will find he has nobody, but he has one person, who is moving, moving and going to Villa, going to this, telling tales by moonlight…Dogara is on ground, if you don’t give Dogara ticket there will be problem. Problem where? When we didn’t make Mulikat Speaker, there was no problem. And now there is another part of the story I’m hearing, people will come and tell if Femi becomes Speaker, Asiwaju will take everything. When I hear that I laugh. Why? When Asiwaju was helping Tambuwal to become Speaker. That time Asiwaju was not trying to control Tambuwal, when Asiwaju assisted Buhari to become President, he was not doing something wrong, but now if he says he’s supporting Femi that he’s doing something wrong. I’m amazed with the way people think for very petty and selfish reasons I must say.
Still on Tambuwal’s backing for Dogara, like one of you had said earlier on, are you suspecting that there’s a sharp one like fraud or scam?
Its a rumour I’m hearing, let me not say I’m did not hear it, its a lie I heard it from so many people. People would say maybe Tambuwal is supporting Dogara because they have done something in the House services and they want it covered. That is what I heard, but I don’t have evidence to back it up and so I’m nota kind of person that will be circulating rumours but that s the rumours going round. Because people are saying it. When Tambuwal wanted to become Speaker, one of his arch enemies was Dogara. Dogara was opposing him while Gbajabiamila was taking him from house to house, from pillar to post to make sure he becomes Speaker. Now Dogara is nobody without Tambuwal. What makes his aspiration even tick is because Tambuwal is with him, but its the truth nobody wants to say. But that’s the way I am, I will say it: Tambuwal is supporting Dogara.
This issue of Tambuwal supporting Dogara you’re saying, is it something you’ve confirmed yourself or you’re joining the hearsay party?
Its not hearsay, by his action, by his utterances. Recently some members of the group that I belong to, the Patriot went to him. The statement he was making, he was trying to instigate members to work against the party if the Speakership is not zoned to the place where his candidate is from. He said people should go and vote for who they like, blah, blah, blah, that no big man should ask them to vote for this or that. And I’m assuring him that no big man will tell us to vote for this or that , but who we are voting is Femi.
But if you’re saying that at some point Asiwaju supported Tambuwal ascendancy to the seat of the Speakership…
I’m not saying , I’m stating, its a statement of fact.
If Tambuwal is no longer toeing the line, are you now suspecting that there’s a crack between…
Well I don’t know why that crack should affect Femi. Lets assume there is a crack.
It also appears that Femi is Asiwaju’s candidate?
What I said, when Tambuwal presented himself, he went to Asiwaju and Asiwaju supported him. Ask Tambuwal whether Asiwaju did not support him, he’s in a better position to answer that question. And I know for a fact that Asiwaju supported Buhari’s to become President and I’m proud of it. And for that as a person, I feel indebted to Asiwaju. Not for supporting me but because he has supported Tambuwal who is my brother, he has supported Buhari who is my brother, that’s the way I am. And I believe that’s the way every reasonable human being should be, whoever does good to you, you should pay him with goodness.
As a parliamentarian do you support the independence of the legislature?
Very much .
One of the cardinal principles of legislative independence is that at the time of election they pick own their leaders.
That is why I’m telling Tambuwal to stop interfering in the way and manner were going to elect our leader. Because he has been our Speaker for four years either for good or for bad, and God in his infinite mercy has now made him a big man in Sokoto. Let him go and face his job in Sokoto and I am praying for him to do well there. But please, let him allow members- elect of the 8th assembly to choose who would be their Speaker. It should not be Tambuwal who would choose our leader for us. You cannot shave my head in my absence.
Don’t you also think zoning as being introduced by the party is a form of interference?
It is a form of interference, but that is done so as to have balancing. It will not be good like some people are saying now to have President from the North, Senate President from the North and Speaker from the North. I don’t think that is fair, I don’t think its justice, I don’t think its equity. We should take as we usually do, two to this side, two to this side. The time would come when our democracy has developed to a certain level, when we can have all from one house and there won’t be a problem, but as it is now, we want this democracy to thrive and it would thrive by being fair and equitable to all of us.
Apart from all these other factors you have enumerated, can you sell the candidacy of Femi Gbajabiamila to us?
Let me say for a fact I know Gbajabiamila to be hard working, I know him to be honest and I know him to be somebody who is a man of his own words. If Gbajabiamila tells you this, that is what its going to be. Gbajabiamila is not the kind of person who will tell you this in your presence and when you go he tells you something else. And what you need in leadership is somebody who is honest, who is not corrupt. And based on the four years I’ve stayed with Femi Gbajabiamila, I have not seen him involved in any corrupt activities to my understanding of him. And I am one of the few members who are very close to him because of the way I am in the House and the way he is.
Let’s repeat the question that one of the contenders is promising new members-elect 75 percent of the chairmanship and deputy chairmanship positions in the House. How feasible is this?
Like I said earlier as long as you’re a member of the House of Reps elect, everybody has a right to aspire for whatever you want. But my advice would be: you should please promise what you know is possible. You don’t make promises on the spur of the moment just because you want to be elected as Speaker.
