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Tag: Femi Gbajabiamila

  • Dogara’s loyalists demand juicy committees

    Following demands from loyalists of the outgoing House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Majority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila is weighing options.

    Gbajabiamila has the choice of either bowing to the demands or going it alone in his bid to become the Speaker of the ninth House of Representatives.

    The ranking loyalists and associates of Dogara are demanding retention of the chairmanship of critical committees to back Gbajabiamila.

    Having met a brick wall in the attempts to whittle down the acceptance of Gbajabiamila, the Dogara loyalists, who are mainly in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and few All Progressives Congress (APC) members, have their eyes on the Deputy Speaker seat.

    They have also demanded that the office of the Deputy Speaker should be conceded to the group in favour of John Dygeh, from Benue State, against Gbajabiamila’s adopted Deputy, Ahmed Idris Wase.

    In the alternative, Dogara loyalists are considering Umar Bago for Speaker and Nkiruka Onyejeocha as Deputy Speaker.

    But new members of the House, who are in the majority, have prevailed on Gbajabiamila to treat all members equally without concession to any group.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that despite having audience twice with Dogara for his blessing, Gbajabiamila is facing fresh hurdles from the loyalists of the outgoing Speaker.

    It was learnt that Gbajabiamila’s supporters felt the demands of Dogara’s loyalists were at variance with the power-sharing formula of the ruling APC. They argued that key committees that will drive the economy cannot be left in the hands of the opposition in the manner Dogara did.

    It was unclear if Gbajabiamila will stick to the APC template or make concessions.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “With his campaign so far, Gbajabiamila has remained broad-minded by reaching out to all caucuses and groups in the House.

    “The only challenge at hand is on the demands of pro-Dogara returning lawmakers for the retention of the chairmanship of critical committees in order to support Gbajabiamila.

    Read Also: Nigeria must win war against violence, says Dogara

    “These committees include Finance, Appropriations, Power, Foreign Affairs, Petroleum (Upstream, Downstream and Gas), FCT, Health, ICT, NDDC and Aviation, among others.

    “They actually wanted a commitment from Gbajabiamila’s camp, which is difficult because it will amount to intimidation or coercion. The supporters of Gbajabiamila are asking Dogara’s loyalists to build trust in Gbajabiamila and his ability to be fair to all.

    “The new members-elect have prevailed on Gbajabiamila to ensure equal stake for all.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “In deference, Gbajabiamila has met Dogara twice to seek his support. The Speaker has no doubt promised to back Gbajabiamila but his actions and those of his loyalists contradict such earlier commitment.

    “I can tell you that Gbajabiamila, his supporters and APC are weighing options. Gbajabiamila’s loyalists are resisting any template that will make them drop Ahmed Idris Wase as Deputy.

    “Gbajabiamila is comfortable working with Wase than any other deputy speakership candidate propped up by Dogara loyalists and anti-party elements in APC.”

    As at press time, the concerned loyalists of Dogara were said to be working on a “Plan B” to team up with Umar Bago as Speaker with Nkieruka Onyejeocha as Deputy Speaker.

    “They want to alter the APC power equation, which the ruling party might not accept. The last strategy is to launch a massive campaign of calumny against Gbajabiamila during the last week to the election of principal officers.

    “This blackmail has started with a sponsored suit to restrain Gbajabiamila from contesting for the office of Speaker.

    “Same strategy was used in 2015 speaker ship race in which the court eventually cleared Gbajabiamila of no criminal conviction.”

  • House of Reps: Obiano, Okorocha, Wike boost Gbajabiamila’s, Wase’s chances

    Governors of Anambra, Imo and Rivers states, Willy Obiano, Rochas Okorocha and Nyesom Wike have assured Femi Gbajabiamila and Idris Wase of their support to clinch the speaker and deputy speaker of the incoming ninth House of Representatives.

    Obiano urged Gbajabiamila and Wase to always prioritise issues concerning Anambra State when they become the presiding officers, Okorocha promised to support them to realise their ambitions.

    Wike said his support for Gbajabiamila and Wase was about the competency of the two men and not on political party affiliation.

    Obiano, who spoke on Tuesday while hosting the 103 members-elect delegation at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, pledged the support of the 10 members-elect of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) from his state to back Gbajabiamila and Wase.

    The governor said the state had long concluded arrangement to support the two lawmakers.

    He added that the decision was not difficult to make because he knew Gbajabiamila as a man of integrity.

    “I know Gbajabiamila. He is not someone who would say it is black now and it would suddenly turn to white. That is why I’ve been campaigning for him for long.

    REad also: Why we’re backing Gbajabiamila, by Rep-elect

    “I’ve even taken the campaign to the Presidency. I still have my respect across all parties.

    “I may work underground but it is a risk that I have to speak this way. But my 10 members in the House must be given something. You have my full support and anything Anambra that comes to the House, pass it speedily.”

    Okorocha, who spoke in Owerri, the state capital, said the four lawmakers from the state would support the Gbajabiamila/Wase team.

    The governor, who hosted the delegation at the Okorocha Foundation College of Africa, said he had been canvassing support for Gbajabiamila since he learnt of his speakership aspiration.

    He expressed his conviction about the ability of the duo to reposition the House of Representatives for legislations that will be beneficial to Nigerians.

    “My endorsement of Gbajabiamila came before now. Gbajabiamila is not a do-or-die politician, and he even deserves the position without the party endorsement,” Okorocha said.

    Wike, who received the delegation yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, said he would support Gbajabiamila because he had shown over the years to be able, capable and experienced enough to lead the next House.

    The governor stressed that his support for Gbajabiamila and Wase was not based on party line nor ethnic considerations.

    Wike said he was impressed by the efforts the duo made to consider him worthy enough to be consulted and visited for such a national issue.

    “I don’t support you based on party lines; I support you based on capacity. When you get there, we must work as a people. Your party is just a vehicle to convey you to your political destination.

    “Party line is the major reason Nigeria has not made any progress. It was the reason our Electoral Act was not assented to,” he said.

    Wike advised Gbajabiamila to put Nigeria first when he becomes Speaker of the ninth House on June 10.

    Gbajabiamila noted that though he and Wase possessed the requisite leadership skills and legislative experience to successfully pilot the affairs of the ninth House, there was a need for them to seek the support and blessing of the governor, whom he said they respected so much.

  • 9th Speakership race: Ugwuanyi delivers eight Enugu members-elect to Gbajabiamila

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has pledged support for the candidature of Femi Gbajabiamila and Idris Wase for the position of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives.

    Ugwuanyi made the pledge on Monday at the Government House, Enugu while receiving the 103 members-elect on the Gbajabiamila/Wase on consultation drive to the Southeast and Southsouth.

    He made good the pledge by delivering the eight members-elect from the State to the Gbajabiamila/Wase team.

    The governor handed over the four members-elect, who were present at the consultation meeting to Gbajabiamila, while he made phone calls to the absent four for the decision taken.

    Read Also: Ugwuanyi preaches peace, unity, progress

    Ugwuanyi, who was a former member of the House, served as Chairman Committee on Marine for two terms while Gbajabiamila was a member.

    “I commend the wisdom and initiative behind this aspiration and I wish you well,” he added.

    Gbajabiamila promised to run an all- inclusive leadership saying “That office would be for your State, we will support all your demands in the House. It is going to be an office for all States”.

  • Speakership: Gbajabiamila’s camp woos Dogara, Governors, other contestants

    The Director-General of the Femi Gbajabiamila Speakership campaign Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin has said the camp is lobbying incumbent Speaker Yakubu Dogara, some Governors and even other contestants vying for the Speakership position to ensure success in the June 10 Speakership contest.

    Jibrin, who came to brief journalists on the journey so far with other members of the campaign team, said the Gbajabiamila Camp is not taking any chances even though they already have the numbers.

    He said: “A lot of my senior colleagues and those that we came in together, junior colleagues and also new members elect are standing here before you and we wish to categorically state that Femi, of course, he’s the candidate for Speakership and that he’s running on the same ticket as Hon. Wase.

    “By the grace of God, we will elect Fem as Speaker and Hon.  Wase as Deputy Speaker.

    “Secondly and equally very important, we also wish to inform you, and it is our pleasure to do so, that at this moment, we have the numbers to win the election on the 10th of June.

    “In the last six weeks since we started our activities we have applied different types of models to check our numbers, to weigh our numbers and all the instances where we applied different options that are scientifically verifiable, we have arrived at a very comfortable number that will win us the election.

    “The last approach that we adopted is for members to confirm in writing who they are going to vote.

    “And interestingly, we also have large number of members from the PDP, and other opposition parties who have also indicated written interest that they’re going to be with us.

    “He said their approach included diplomatic shuttling, talking with the opposition party members and assuring everyone that Femi Gbajabiamiila and Idris Wase are going to run an all- inclusive House.

    “We also involved the stockholders, the leaders of the opposition parties, the leaders, their elected officials,  their governors and the rest, all in the process of this lobbying, which is also an integral part of the parliamentary system.

    “We’ve also opened consultations with past Speakers of the House, all the past presiding officers of the House,  members of the body of principal officers of the House, we’re all talking to them to help in whatever way they can.

    “Also very significant is the facts that we’re also in consultation, and let me say it very clearly, we’re also lobbying the incumbent Speaker, Dogara, and we appreciate the value he can bring on board.

    “We’re also being realistic and practical in the approach of our campaign. He’s a sitting Speaker, he has a support base, he controls a particular bloc in the House, we all recognise that,” he added.

    “We’re reaching out to him, we’re lobbying him, we’re also talking to him, and we’ve opened up negotiation with him.

    “And we’re pretty sure because of all the constructive agenda we’ve put on ground and for the live he has for this parliament, we will be able to reach an understanding with him,” Jibrin said.

    He said Hon. Yakubu Buba has pulled out and is supporting the Gbajabiamila Camp. “We’re pretty sure and very confident that on the 10th when the election will take place, there will not be any member of APC contesting with another member of APC,” the lawmaker said.

  • But why Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila?

    On what basis did President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) arrive at the decision to adopt Senator Ahmed Lawan and Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila for the positions of Senate President and Speaker, House of Representatives, respectively, in the 9th National Assembly? Is this not a necessarily arbitrary decision since any number of reasons can be given to justify whatever zoning formula opted for by the party? Would it indeed not have been preferable for the party simply to have zoned the offices and allowed intra-party dynamics on the floor of the respective chambers to determine which legislators for these and other offices emerge?

    Of course, the danger here would be that if a party cannot summon the will and discipline to enforce its right to determine which of its legislators occupy what offices in the National Assembly, what is the guarantee that things would not get out of hand on the floor during the legislative election especially when you have a minority opposition party ever so eager to turn the tables on the majority party and grab key legislative offices in collusion with unprincipled members of the dominant party?

    There is a school of thought, which contends that the business of electing the leadership of the two chambers of the National Assembly is entirely that of the legislators voting on the floor with no extraneous interference.  Section 50(1) of the 1999 constitution is cited to support this position. It states that “There shall be (a) a President and a Deputy President of the Senate, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves; and (b) a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves”. From this perspective, there is absolutely no place for political parties in the election of the legislative leadership.

    But then, did the legislators emerge from outer space to contest for the positions they occupy in the National Assembly? Would that not be tantamount to something standing on nothing? Let us consider Section 65 of the 1999 constitution, which states the qualifications for membership of the National Assembly and right of attendance. Subsection 2(b) of this section states that “A person shall be qualified for election under subsection (1) of this section if (b) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that party”.

    This is reinforced by Section 68(1) subsection b of the constitution, which states that “A member of the Senate or House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if being a person whose election was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which he was elected: Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not a result as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored”.

    There is thus an inextricable link between the legislator and his political party. If so, it is impossible for a serious political party with a majority of members in the legislature to be indifferent as regards those who emerge as the leaders in the law making chambers. Political parties sponsor candidates for elective office both in the executive and legislative arms of government to implement specific party programmes and manifestoes that constitute its social contract with the electorate.

    The principle of separation of powers among the three arms of government is designed to ensure that they check and balance each other in order to enhance accountable, transparent and responsible government. However, this is not expected to be to the detriment of cooperative and harmonious relationship between the executive and legislature in order to ensure the achievement as much as possible of the policies and programmes of the party in power at any level of government.

    It is obviously due to the experience of the APC in the last four years, during which smooth implementation of the party’s programme was partly impeded by an adversarial legislative leadership, that the party is determined this time around to ensure that the opposition does not determine those who occupy key legislative offices as happened in 2015. Thus, right from President Muhammadu Buhari through the various leadership structures and organs of the party, all hands appear to be on deck towards the emergence of legislative leaders of the party’s choice particularly the offices of Senate President and Speaker.

    Let us then go back to our initial question: Was the adoption of Senator Ahmed Lawan and Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila for these prime legislative positions not essentially arbitrary and thus falling short of expected democratic standards? If the principle of zoning had been the criterion for settling for the two, I would have answered this question in the affirmative. And I think it is unfortunate that the misleading impression has been widely created that Lawan and Gbajabiamila’s choices for these positions is because the offices have been zoned to the North-East and South-West respectively.

    This is why the APC Vice Chairman for the North Central zone, Ahmed Suleiman Wambi, sounded a refreshingly different note in explaining the rationale for his zone’s support for the party leadership’s choice of Lawan and Gbajabiamila. In his words: “We have not given Ahmad Lawan the position of Senate President because he is from North East or Gbajabiamila Speaker because he is from the South West but based on their contribution and loyalty to the party…We are not saying that there is nobody in the North Central that is qualified. No. But there are certain considerations. We fought for the zone to get Deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives and also Majority Leader in the Senate”.

    In principle, all legislators are equal and none is more equal than others. All legislators are thus entitled to contest for legislative leadership positions. To simplify matters, it has become the tradition in legislative assemblies across diverse polities to grant ranking legislators priority in contesting key positions based on wealth of experience and proven quality of representation. This ensures that these positions can be filled without other qualified legislators feeling a sense of injustice or alienation. In this regard as Majority Leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives respectively Lawan and Gbajabiamila are the two most senior and highest ranking APC legislators in both chambers.

    Of course, it is not for nothing that Lawan and Gbajabiamila occupy these prestigious offices. A doctorate degree holder in remote sensing and distinguished educationist, Lawan has rich legislative experience having been elected to the House of Representatives in 1999 on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and serving at various times as Chairman of the House Committees on education and culture. Elected to the Senate in 2007 still on the platform of the ANPP, Lawan was a member of the Senate Committee on constitution review in 2008 and became Chairman of the Senate Public Accounts Committee in 2009. He was re-elected to the Senate again on the platform of the ANPP in 2011 and emerged as majority leader in 2017 after being re-elected on the platform of the APC in 2015. It says something of his character that contrary to the fair-weather nature of Nigeria’s political elite, Lawan has been consistently in opposition till he won re-election on the platform of the new ruling party in 2015.

    On his part, Gbajabiamila’s brilliance is widely acknowledged. With an exemplary legal education, he was in private practice both abroad and in Nigeria before opting for politics. Like Lawan, Gbajabiamila has been consistently in opposition since being elected to the House of Representatives on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 2003. By the end of his second tenure in 2007, Gbajabiamila had sponsored the highest number of bills in the House. In 2011, Gbajabiamila was nominated for the award of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR). Surprisingly, he turned down the offer on the ground that he did not deserve it at the time. Rather, he sponsored an amendment to the requisite law to give stringent guidelines for selection of National Award nominees. Here surely is a man of character and principle.

    True, those ranking APC legislators who also legitimately aspire to these offices have rich resumes in terms of education as well as political and legislative experience. But Lawan and Gbajabiamiula have an edge as the highest ranking APC legislators in both Houses. But for the fact that he was removed from office as Majority Leader of the Senate by his colleagues in 2017, for instance, and replaced with Lawan, I don’t how anyone could have rationally and justifiably faulted Senator Ali Ndume’s aspiration for the Senate Presidency.

    Next week: PDP AND LEADERSHIP OF THE 9TH ASSEMBLY.

  • House Speaker: Gbajabiamila, Wase join forces

    THE campaign organisations of the House of Representatives Leader Femi Gbajabiamila and Mohammed Idris Wase collapsed into one last night.

    Gbajabiamila (Surulere Federal Constituency, Lagos) and Wase (Wase Federal Constituency, Plateau), were, until the duo joined forces, jostling for the House of Representatives Speaker’s seat.

    Both camps agreed to work together with Gbajabiamila as Speaker and Wase as Deputy Speaker in the Ninth Assembly.

    The groups met at Trascorp Hotel, Abuja.

    Also yesterday, the Speakership drive of Gbajabiamila got a boost yesterday as 178 new members-elect endorsed his ambition.

    His spokesman, Olanrewaju Smart, said the lawmakers gathered to do the proclamation at the New Chelsea Hotel in Abuja.

    He said the lawmakers were drawn from various political parties.

    Read also: Gbajabiamila: Let him speak

    A member-elect, Onofiuk Luke, who is the Akwa-Ibom State House of Assembly Speaker, spoke for the lawmakers.

    He said they were endorsing Gbajabiamila because of his sterling qualities and the fact that he is the most qualified.

    Luke said: “I am the Speaker of Akwa-Ibom State and here with me are newly elected members of the House of Representatives and this is a conglomeration of people of different parties. I am of the PDP. We have members of the APC here.

    “We have members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), we have people from Action Alliance (AA), we have people from ACP and we have people from ADC. It’s a multi-party arrangement.

    “We decided to convene ourselves as newly elected members of the House of Representatives to look at the emergence of the next leadership of the 9th assembly and in doing so, we looked through the antecedents and credentials of those who are aspiring to lead the National Assembly.

    “And we acknowledge the fact that this country today; with the challenges that we have that we need a bipartisan approach to solve the problem of Nigeria and the person and the man that has shown that credibility, capacity, that has what it takes even as reflected in his manifesto, to carry the entire parties along in resolving and solving the issues of Nigeria, the man who will not mortgage the independence of the legislature but at the same time would not engage the executive in unnecessary fisticuffs, a man who will build a good relationship between the executive and the legislature, between the legislature and the judiciary.”

    He further stated that they were in search of “a man who will care about the welfare of Nigerians; a man who will put the interest of Nigeria above his personal interest; and a man who will put the interest of Nigeria above the party.

    “And we have resolved today, to have come from our different states, from our different constituencies and we have found as newly-elected members, having looked through the credentials and the CV, we have found Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as a man who has a capacity to lead the 9th National Assembly as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    “We know that he is not going to let Nigerians down and we know and believe that he is not going to let us down and we know and believe that he is not going to let God down.”

    Despite of the choice of the Southwest by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the zone to produce the Speaker of the 9th House, but the Lagos representative has faced contention from aspirants from the Northcentral.

  • Southwest governors, governors-elect rally lawmakers for Gbajabiamila

    THREE governors and two governors-elect from the Southwest geo-political zone on Tuesday night presented a united front for the emergence of the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, as the next House of Representatives Speaker .

    At a meeting held at the Abuja residence of Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, more than 90 per cent of the members-elect from the region, cutting across all political parties, met with the governors and governors-elect.

    Besides the host, Governors Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Gboyega Oyetota (Osun) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), who was represented by Senator Teslim Folarin, also attended the meeting.

    Lagos and Ogun states’ Governors-elect, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun, were also at the meeting that held for over two hours.

    According to investigation, the APC governors secured more mileage for Gbajabiamila at the meeting between them with the members-elect. It was agreed by the 52 members-elect that they would work for Gbajabiamila in line with the wish of the President and the All Progressives Congress (APC) directive.

    A member-elect at the session said: “One of the highlights of our session in Ekiti Governor’s Lodge in Abuja was the persuasion of a three-term member of the House, Olusegun Dokun Odebunmi, representing Ogo-Oluwa/ Surulere Federal Constituency to step down for Gbajabiamila.

    “Winning over Odebunmi, a heavyweight, who the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) could have used in the Southwest against Gbajabiamila, was an added value to our campaign for the office of Speaker.”

    According to another source, who was also at the gathering, the governors made it clear that “Gbajabiamila is a project for the region”.

    “Governor Fayemi did not mince words in telling the members-elect that Gbajabiamila’s candidacy is not for himself, but for the Southwest.

    “He told them that it was a national project that must be accomplished with a sincerity of purpose that would portray the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a strong and cohesive party with totally loyal members,” the source said.

    A lawmaker, Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti), told The Nation that the meeting was designed to convince members of the House” and also change the course of the contest in favour of the party’s choice.

    Gbajabiamila’s Campaign Coordinator for Southwest Akeem Adeyemi said Odebunmi has finally aligned himself with the APC position on the issue.

    Adeyemi said the support for Gbajabiamila cuts across the party’s six zones, considering the declaration of support from different state governors and other stakeholders.

    He said: “As you can see, the presence of the governors and governors-elect from the region at this forum speaks volume.

    “Their involvement is all about rallying us that Gbajabiamila’s candidacy is not only on merit, but the wisest political choice. On Honourable Odebunmi, I can tell you that he has finally aligned himself with the party’s position. He is on the same page with us as confirmed by himself tonight.”

    Odebunmi, who was also present at the meeting and seen taking pictures with others at end of the meeting, left immediately.

    When called by The Nation on his mobile phone for his comments over the new development, he said he would not speak to a reporter he does not know.

    “I don’t know you, I have never met you. I don’t know if you even cover the House of Representatives,” he said.

    Another member of the lobbying team for Gbajabiamila said: “So far,  so good,  we are in good standing because our strength this time around is stable and predictable.

    “We are meeting with new members-elect, across all parties, on Thursday (today) to seek their support. The thrust of our campaign is fairness, equity, justice and leadership in a partnership form.

    “There will be no discrimination in any form against members of the 9th House. We will involve everybody in the decision-making process.”

    The source added: “In fact, Gbajabiamila on Wednesday met with members of the outgoing 8th House that lost election to get their backing and send a clear message that he will need their experience when elected.”

  • Akeredolu, Fayemi, Ajimobi rally members-elect for Gbajabiamila

    Five governors from the Southwest geo-political zone on Tuesday night presented a united front for the emergence of the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    At a meeting held at the Abuja residence of Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi on Tuesday night, more than 90 percent of all members-elect from the region cutting across all political parties met with governors from the region.

    Besides the host, Fayemi, governors Rotimi Akeredolu  (Ondo), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), and Abiola Ajimobi  (Oyo), who was represented by Senator Teslim Folarin.

    Lagos and Ogun states Governors-elect, Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun respectively were also present at the meeting that held for over two hours.

    According to a source from the meeting, the governors made it clear that Gbajabiamila is a project for the region

    “Governor Fayemi did not mince words telling the members-elect that Gbajabiamila’s candidacy is not for himself but for the Southwest.

    He told them that it was a national project that must be accomplished with a sincerity of purpose that would portray APC as a strong and cohesive party, with totally loyal members,” she said.

    Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti) told The Nation that the meeting was a masterstroke that would not only convince members of the House but also change the course of the contest in favour of the choice of the party.

    Read Also: Assembly hails Akeredolu over industrial projects

    Gbajabiamila’s campaign Coordinator for Southwest, Akeem Adeyemi disclosed that the major contender from the region, Segun Odebunmi (Oyo) has finally aligned himself with the position of the party on the issue.

    Adeyemi also said the support for Gbajabiamila cuts across the six zones of the country considering the declaration of support from different state governors and other stakeholders.

    He said: “As you can see, the presence of the entire governors and governors-elect from the region at this forum speaks volume.

    “Their involvement is all about rallying us that Gbajabiamila’s candidacy is not only on merit but the wisest political choice.

    “On Honourable Odebunmi, I can tell you that he has finally aligned himself with the position of the party.

    “He is on the same page with us as confirmed by himself tonight”.

    Odebunmi, who was also present at the meeting and seen taking photop opportunity session with the others at end of the meeting, left immediately.

    When called by our reporter on his mobile phone for his comments over the new development, he said he would not speak to a reporter he does not know.

    “I don’t know you, I have never met you, I don’t know if you even cover the House of Representatives,” he said.

     

  • Niger APC legislators back Gbajabiamila

    All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives members from Niger State have resolved to back Femi Gbajabiamila for the Speaker.

    Although the federal legislator representing Chachanga Constituency, Niger State, Mohammed Bago,  is in the race, they said their decision was based on party supremacy.

    At a meeing held in Government House, Minna, the state capital, at the instance of Governor  Abubakar Sani Bello,  the senators from the state also resolved to back Dr. Ahmed Lawan for Senate President.

    Niger State APC chairman Jibril Imam said the party is supreme, urging members to remain united.

    He said: “Going by what happened during the tenure of the 8th National Assembly, the party at all levels decided to reach a middle ground to enable us present a formidable front on the matter.”

    Imam said the meeting was a follow up to an earlier one by  APC chairmen and governors from the North Central states in Abuja, adding that the Minna meeting was attended by serving and elected members, who unanimously adopted the two candidates.

    He said the endorsement was to avert the reoccurrence of the experience in the 8th Assembly, which was unpalatable and slowed down the progress of the nation in the last four years.

    Imam added: “We are loyal party members and have resolved  to toe the position of the party by endorsing Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan as the Senate President of the 9th Assembly and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as the Speaker of the 9th Assembly.

    “Our experience in the 8th Assembly is not palatable and it has  slowed down our progress in the last four years and we don’t want a repeat of that”.

    Speaking on behalf of the legislators Abdullahi Mahmud representing Agaie/Lapai Constituency, said the adoption of Lawan and Gbajabiamila was an affirmation of party supremacy.

  • Niger APC, leaders ditch Bago for Gbajabiamila, Lawan

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and elected members of the House of Representatives in Niger State have dashed the hope of the member representing Chachanga Constituency, Mohammed Bago, to become the Speaker.

    At a meeting on Monday evening by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, the state APC said it was supporting Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker of the House of Representatives and Ahmed Lawan as Senate President.

    Bago is one of the key contenders for the speakership position of the Ninth House of Representatives.

    Niger State’s APC Chairman Jibril Imam said the state decided to follow the stance of the party and its national leadership on who emerge leaders of the Ninth Assembly.

    “Going by what happened during the Eighth National Assembly, the party, at all levels, decided to reach a middle ground to enable us present a formidable front on the matter,” he said.

    Imam said the meeting was a follow-up to an earlier one in Abuja by the party’s state chairmen and governors from the Northcentral states.

    The chairman said the Minna meeting was attended by serving and elected members from the state who unanimously adopted the two candidates.

    He added that the endorsement was to avert the reoccurrence of what happened in the Eighth Assembly, which slowed down national progress in the last four years.

    “We are loyal party members and have resolved to toe the position of the party by endorsing Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan as the Senate President of the Ninth Assembly and Femi Gbajabiamila as the Speaker of the Ninth Assembly.

    “Our experience in the Eighth Assembly is not palatable and it has slowed down our progress in the last four years. We don’t want a repeat of that,” Imam said.

    On behalf of the elected members of the House of Representatives in Niger State, Abdullahi Mahmud, representing Agaie/Lapai Constituency, said the adoption of the duo was an affirmation of party supremacy.