The Majority Leader of the House
of Representatives, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, on Wednesday, officially declared his
bid for the Office of the Speaker in the coming 10th National Assembly.
Ado-Doguwa, who is the member
representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency in Kano State at the House
of Representatives, made the formal declaration at a press conference in Abuja
on Wednesday.
The Majority Leader recalled how
he stepped down for Femi Gbajabiamila to become Speaker of the 9th House of
Assembly, noting that his journey to the leadership of the House can be likened
to that of the incumbent Speaker’s.
The ranking member of the House said after his declaration as winner of a supplementary election and subsequent issuance of Certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission, he had consulted widely and had “been approached by many Nigerians, mostly my colleagues, who urged me to declare my intention to contest for the speakership of the House of Representatives in the 10th Assembly.”
According to Ado-Doguwa, those
asking me to run believe I am among the qualified candidates for the job.
“Not just because I am deserving
(sic) but because I have the capacity and experience to deliver on the
expectations of millions of Nigerians who believe that our democracy must be
led by competent and experienced leaders,” Ado-Doguwa stated.
The majority leader said, “I am a
strong and committed party man and have stated it categorically clear in other
fora that, because of my absolute loyalty to the party and my unflinching
respect for party supremacy, my ambition will be predicated only on the
condition that the party zones the speakership position to the North-West Zone
which is my immediate constituency.
“I have realised that it is
necessary to heed the call of the people who believe in my capacity to seek the
Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. I am committed to
working with my colleagues and all Nigerians to deliver on their expectations
and to preside over the house to the best of my ability in the overall interest
of the people.”
The lawmaker stated that he had
paid his dues and “it is time to reward my stewardship to both the parliament
and the nation.”
Ado-Doguwa recalled that between
2011 and 2015, the Peoples Democratic Party had a majority in the House and
controlled the leadership in that dispensation, while Femi Gbajabiamila was
nominated by the South-West Caucus as Minority Leader.
He also recalled that from 2015
to 2019 when the All Progressive Congress had a majority in the House, “it was
only natural that the Minority Leader transits to Majority Leadership
position.”
Ado-Doguwa further recalled that
the moment the convention was proposed, he personally agreed to step down from
the position of Majority Leader which he was earlier tipped for and settled for
the Chief Whip position, to give room for Gbajabiamila to assume the position
of Majority Leader.
He added, “Fast forward to
2019-2023, 9th Assembly, in keeping faith with the convention of the House,
when the speakership position was zoned to the South-West, it was only natural
that my brother and good friend, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, the then Majority
Leader, was the only one adopted for the speakership position, the rest is now
history.
“There is a lot to learn from
this brief narrative. Our superlative Speaker (Gbajabiamila) has been in the
House since 2003 till date and rose through the ranks to become what he is
today. We cannot sweep under the carpet the cognate legislative experience,
requisite parliamentary background and interpersonal relationship with his
colleagues, developed and nurtured over his almost 20-year sojourn in the
House, as being manifested in his leadership style and prowess in the 9th
Assembly.”
The majority leader said he was
“tempted” to ask, “Is history repeating itself?’
He added, “I believe the answer
is yes. Just like our Speaker, I am also serving out my 5th term in the House.
I have served as Chief Whip, House of Representatives 2015 to 2019, and
currently, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, working
harmoniously with my Speaker.
“By the special Grace of God, I
stand out as the oldest serving member from the North-West zone in the House,
and with the support of my colleagues, I am the Leader of the North-West and
the Leader of the APC Caucuses in the House.
“God willing, I will be the
Speaker that would see through the implementation of the Renewed Hope
2023-Action Plan for a Better Nigeria anchored by our amiable and tested
President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Ado-Doguwa had last weekend
issued a notice to members of the House, informing them of his decision to run
for Speaker of the 10th House.
“The letter is an open letter to
all of our members-elect captured on a hand pamphlet. We, however, intend to
make a formal declaration of intention to run for the Speakership of the 10th
NASS,” he told our correspondent on Monday night.
Ado-Doguwa declared the
speakership bid amid a trial for alleged crimes.
Recall that Ado-Doguwa was
arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on February 28, 2023,
while boarding a flight to Abuja and he is standing trial over alleged criminal
conspiracy, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of a firearm, mischief, and
public disturbance.
He is currently on bail.
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This time u will not only stepped down alone your and and your 28 children are stepping down with u mumu like u
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