The route to the Speakership of
the 9th House of Representatives seems to be getting smoother for Mr. Femi
Gbajabiamila (APC, Surulere, Lagos State).
Four of his co-contestants for
the position have pulled out of the race
for him.
But two others are still in the
contest with him.
The battle for the Senate
Presidency remains a three-way affair for Dr. Ahmad Lawan, Chairman of the
Senate Committee on Appropriations, Alhaji
Danjuma Goje and a former Senate Leader, Alhaji Ali Ndume.
Sources said Idris Ahmed Wase
(Plateau), Abdulrazak Namdas (Adamawa), Aliyu Betara Mukhtar (Borno), and Yusuf Yakubu Buba (Borno) have
stood down their ambition for Gbajabiamila who is favoured by the APC hierarchy
for the job.
Umar Mohammed Bago (Niger) and
John Dyegh (Benue) are yet to withdraw from the race.
Although Wase has been adopted
for the office of Deputy Speaker, he faces a fresh hurdle from the camp of outgoing Speaker Yakubu Dogara which is
demanding the slot for a Christian candidate.
But some members-elect are
insisting that religion should not be a factor for Wase because, according to
them, there had been a Christian-Christian mandate in the House in the past.
They said merit and capacity,
rather than religion, should be the overriding factor.
Investigation by our
correspondent revealed that the withdrawal of the four ranking Reps for
Gbajabiamila is a fallout of ongoing
negotiation between the Gbajabiamila camp and critical stakeholders
in the chambers.
A source called it a major
breakthrough in the quest to install Gbajabiamila as the next Speaker.
The four have also agreed to join
forces to work for Gbajabiamila whose party (APC) has over 226 of the 360
members-elect.
Gbajabiamila, who also has associates
in PDP, needs about 181 votes (if there is a full house of elected members) to
emerge as Speaker.
A well-placed source
said: “So far, the campaign for the office of the Speaker is taking a good shape for Gbajabiamila with the
withdrawal of these four heavyweights from the race.
“We are however not taking things
for granted. There is a little relief in the APC camp because the PDP appears
not keen any more for the office of Speaker because of the intense lobbying
from Gbajabiamila’s friends, associates and strategists.
“About three weeks to the
election of principal officers, most PDP lawmakers-elect are still awaiting
directive on who to vote for. Instead of losing out, some of them have decided
to align with Gbajabiamila to be in good stead for the House politics.
“Notwithstanding, the campaign
team of Gbajabiamila has sustained its outreach by paying more attention to his
sterling legislative qualities than sentiments around his recommendation for
the office by the party.
“We have spent quality time to
clarify the godfather allegation being circulated to prove that Gbajabiamila is
a cosmopolitan candidate.”
On Umar Mohammed Bago and John
Dyegh who are still in the race, another source – a returning Rep – said: “The
APC and its leaders at all levels are trying to prevail on these two candidates
to step down. We will still take advantage of the next three weeks to lobby
them accordingly.
“We are hopeful that they will
defer to the APC and concede the slot to Gbajabiamila.
“Alternatively, if all entreaties
fail, we will go ahead for outright election between Gbajabiamila and the two
candidates. We know their limit but we are only appeasing them to have a united
House.
“Take the case of Bago, he does
not enjoy the backing of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and all members-elect
from Niger State. His best bet is to face the reality of the futility of his
aspiration.
“In the case of John Dyegh, he is
the only elected member of the House from Benue State. Where does he draw his
electoral strength from? We cannot afford to ignore him but he has not come to
terms with the pervasiveness of the ongoing intrigues in favour of
Gbajabiamila.”
Responding to a question, the
source admitted that although Wase has been adopted for the office of Deputy
Speaker, he faces a fresh hurdle from the camp of outgoing Speaker, Yakubu
Dogara which wants a Christian for the position.
“Some forces are trying to give
religious colouration to the race for the office of Deputy Speaker to stop Wase
but the parliament is not made for such sentiments,” he said.
“We are always broader in our
perspectives. Of the 12 Speakers we have had six were Christians and six were Muslims. They all
came on merit without religious imputations.
“The Deputy Speakers so far have
been eight with five Muslims and three Christians without animosity. Many
political factors, including zoning by parties, interplay more than
ethno-religious indices. We hope those
promoting religious division in the legislature will stop it.
“Wase has sacrificed by stepping
down for Gbajabiamila despite the fact that he is also a strong candidate for
the Speaker slot. We will not allow mischief-makers to whip up religious
sentiments.”
It’s still Lawan, Goje, Ndume for
Senate Presidency
The story is a bit different in
the Senate where ex-Governor Danjuma Goje and a former Senate Leader, Senator
Ali Ndume have refused to step down for Dr. Ahmed Lawan.
There are fears that should Goje and Ndume continue to be adamant, they could split the votes of APC Senators-elect and pave the way for the emergence of a Senate
President from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
PDP, which has 46 out of 108
Senators-elect, is waiting in the wings for a major crack in APC to determine
the next Senate President.
Lawan group on the other hand is
making an inroad into the PDP to be able to get a simple majority.
While the Senate rules say a
Senate President can emerge with a simple majority of the votes cast during the
election of principal officers, the House of Representatives Standing Orders
require a candidate for Speaker or any office to have half of the votes of the
number of members-elect at the inaugural session.
A Senator-elect from North-West
said: “Both Goje and Ndume have continued with their campaign although that of
Ndume has been more obvious.
“So far, Ndume appears determined
to see through the election on the floor on the inauguration day.
“In spite of the fact that Goje
has not set up a structure, we know he has a ready-made platform he might use
if he eventually makes up his mind to defy APC directive.
“We are not deterred at all.
Where we should accord the ex-governor respect, Lawan has done so. The Senate
leader met Goje about two weeks ago at the wedding of his daughter. Some
emissaries, including ex-governors, have also had audience with Goje on behalf
of Lawan.
“As for Ndume, he has drawn the battle line from the beginning but
even at that some governors have interfaced with him to allow Lawan to be.”
A governor who is involved in
some talks with Goje, said: “We are still persuading the former governor to
allow Lawan to have his way. Typical of lobbying in any legislature, he came up
with a few issues which are resolvable.
“I will not tell you the issues/
grouses/ terms as may be applicable. We think we can mutually agree on a few
things and keep our house in order for a smooth 9th Senate.”
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