JOSHUA EGBODO writes on plans by some lawmakers to challenge Femi Gbajabiamila, the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the House of Representatives, for the number one seat in the Green Chamber.
Oshiomole’s endorsement
Like it is in the Senate, the open endorsement of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila for speakership of the ninth House of Representatives by chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomole, is generating quite a lot of heat.
Rather than toeing party line, more members of the House have indicated interest in the race for the speakership. Not even the threat ‘to punish’ any member who disobeyed the party could cow the daring lawmakers..
Gbajabiamila
Gbajabiamila, while formally declaring his ambition, described himself as the best hand for the job at the moment, basking in the experience of legislative business in the House.
The lawmaker said he would be bringing to the table, his wealth of experience, and the burning desire for good governance, saying it was “a desire to take the legislature to the next level, standing tall and shoulder to shoulder with the most advanced legislatures world over.”
The lawmaker told his colleagues he was seeking the office “to bring our tendencies together and unite us as a country. I seek the office of the speaker to bring governance even closer to the people. I seek the office of the speaker to mentor the next generation. I seek the office of the speaker so I can use the bully pulpit to galvanise….”.
Gbajabiamila contested against incumbent Yakubu Dogara in 2015 as the endorsed APC candidate.
“Historically, the House of Representatives was established to be the people’s house and for the people’s business. It follows therefore that the speaker must be the people’s speaker elected to do the people’s business and champion their cause, and in doing so fulfilling their hopes and aspirations. This is the speaker I intend to be and the House I intend and hope to lead; a people’s House”, he submitted.
Director General of the Gbajabiamila for speaker campaign organisation, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, described the lawmaker’s ambition as a selfless move by a man who stands out as the best candidate to lead the House, giving assurance that they would be carrying issue-based campaign, and urged all potential opponents to follow similar paths.
On the endorsement of Gbajabiamila by the APC, Jibrin said it was a global parliamentary practice for the political party having the majority of members to seek and heed the party’s advice on selection of a leader, arguing that it should not be different in Nigeria.
The Wase phenomenon
Though yet to publicly make his intention known for top job of the green chamber, Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Idris Wase is no doubt, one of the formidable lawmakers to watch in the tussle. Wase appears to be enjoying a lot of support from his colleagues, some of whom have described him as an experienced and level headed legislator, perfectly fit for the position.
His aspiration also got a boost with the agitation of the north central APC Caucus in the House, which insisted that for balance and equity, the party should concede the speakership slot to the geopolitical zone.
Though Wase, from Plateau state is not the only contestant from the zone at the moment, as there is Umaru Bago from Niger, also in the race, the odds according to observers, seem to favour him should the zoning eventually go that way.
Wase, who deputises Gbajabiamila as leader, is also not likely to bow to sacrifice his ambition, especially in the face of the enormous support he seems to enjoy from his colleagues.
Namdas’ group cautions APC
About the same date the APC chairman made the public pronouncement, spokesman of the House, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, made public his intention to run for the speakership.
And a key member of Namdas support team, Hon. Abdulrahman Abubakar, cautioned the APC against ‘interference’ and asked that members be given the free hand to elect their choice leaders, especially if the pitfalls of the 2015 leadership emergence are to be avoided.
Bago too…
Just days ago, Bago, on his handle; @HonBago, reinforced his ambition by posting “I am in the race for speakership of the @HouseNGR for real, fuelled by my conviction, in pursuit of justice and response to calls from the north central geopolitical zone for due recognition in the political space and our dear party @APCNg”.
His assertion has been considered by many as an apparent reaction to insinuations that the ambition of some of those seeking the speakership may have been dampened by comments credited to Oshiomole, endorsing Gbajabiamila as anointed candidate of the party.
Also Dyegh…
There are also several moves that have so far suggested many members of the party may not bow to the threats of punitive measures by Oshiomole, as just days ago too, Hon. John Dyegh, who about a fortnight ago, led the North central APC caucus to a media briefing, canvassing for the concession of the speakership seat to the zone, also threw his hat in the ring for the number one seat in the House.
Though yet to formally declare, his campaign posters have been spotted around the National Assembly complex.
Doguwa, Moguno back out
Those who may be considered to have relinquished their ambition, probably in loyalty to the APC at the moment, are the chief whip of the House, Hon. Alhassan Doguwa, and Tahir Monguno.
Both lawmakers earlier indicated their intentions but became visible on the day the APC’s blessed candidate, Gbajabiamila officially declared for the post.
For Monguno, who on that day read the citation of Gbajabiamila, there were insinuations that he may have tactically settled for the deputy speakership, in event the plot to install Gbajabiamila succeeds.
It’s however not yet clear why Doguwa opted to support the leader whose speakership project he likened to being in a safe flight, with no turbulence, “and so we will arrive safely.”
Clamour for independence
But the party’s position may not be heeded. Independent bodies have commenced campaign to ensure the independence of the parliament, especially as it relates to its choice of leadership.
For instance, a body of former and serving members of the House under the aegis of Faculty of Initiatives at a media briefing Wednesday underscored the need for the legislature to truly enjoy its independence.
Led by former spokesman of the House, Hon, Eseme Eyiboh, the group noted that if government or the three arms must stand in a tripod arrangement, then the legislature should be allowed to choose its leadership.
They said in such critical contest, stakeholders must begin a talent hunt to get the best, especially for the positions of Senate President and Speaker House of Representatives.
“History, from Na’Aba up to Dogara is very consistent” he said, pointing out that the general interest of a particular candidate and the independence of the legislature have often been uppermost in the heart of the lawmakers in choosing their leaders.
“Interest of members, separation of powers and independence of legislature should be paramount”, he said.
As it is now, Wase, Bago, Dyegh and many others, including those who are still planning to make their intentions known are still in the race, and it is doubtful if they would back out.
