The leadership of Niger state All Progressives Congress (APC) and members – elect on the platform of the party Tuesday endorsed Femi Gbajabiamila for speaker of the House of Representatives.
The endorsement may have affected the ambition of the member- elect representing Chanchanga federal constituency from the state, Umar Bago, who has been jostling for the speaker of the 9th House of Representatives.
The state leadership of the party also endorsed the candidature of Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawal for president of the Senate after a meeting of stakeholders.
Chairman of the party, Engineer Jibrin Imam, in a press conference Tuesday said the decision to support Gbajabiamila for speakership was taken at a meeting of party stakeholders, APC members – elect from the state and Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.
Imam stated that the decision was in line with the outcome of the meeting held last Thursday in Abuja with all governors and party chairmen from the North-central zone on the leadership of the 9th National Assembly.
He added that the stance of the party at the state level was to enable a smooth ride for the government of APC and to show their loyalty to the party as well.
He also stated that the endorsement was to avert the reoccurrence of the experience in the 8th National Assembly which he described as unpalatable.
“We are loyal party members and we have resolved to obey the position of the party by endorsing Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan for Senate President of the 9th Assembly and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila for Speaker of the 9th Assembly.”
Bago, it was learnt, had sworn not to step down for any candidate. The latest development might, however, force the lawmaker to have a change of heart, especially as he was said to be present at the stakeholders’ meeting in Minna
