The aspiration of the Deputy Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase, to take over from Femi Gbajabiamila has received a boost.
The battle for leadership positions in the 10th National Assembly has become intense with the inauguration set for June 13, 2023.
With lawmaker-elects gunning for positions in the House, some Governors like, Babagana Zulum (Borno), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Ademola Adeleke (Oyo) have pledged their support for Wase’s ambition.
The governors expressed their support when Wase led a team of 14 federal lawmakers including freshers to their respective residences in Abuja.
The Ogun State Governor acknowledged that Wase had demonstrated party loyalty, commitment and humility as great qualities to lead the House of Representatives.
Zulum who received Wase said, “We are not in doubt about your capabilities, capacity and competence; no one can even take away your experience, loyalty and commitment to our party, but let’s cross the first hurdle, which is zoning the position to the North-Central and then we know what to do. Let’s pray hard so that we can fix that aspect of the race because I know the conversation is already on among us- I mean the governors. We will meet again on Wednesday to continue the conversation and Allah will answer prayers.”
Governor Abiodun, on his part, said, “Your high level of loyalty and quality service to Nigeria in your capacity as deputy speaker to Femi Gbajabiamila has been key in stabilising the polity; you have demonstrated over the years that you are a true party man, a very consistent personality and a true democrat and progressive having grown from the defunct AC, ACN till today; you never disappointed the progressive family in any manner.
“Without prejudice to zoning, you stand out as a personality who deserves to be a speaker to continue to contribute your quota to national development.”
A former Governor of Kebbi State, now re-elected as a senator, Adamu Aliero after a brief closed-door meeting at his residence in Maitama, Abuja on Friday night expressed his support for Wase.
Aliero said, “There is no reason for any of you to be worried; we just finished the ‘larger’ meeting. Myself, a close friend, and neighbour as well as the governor of Osun state just met with the deputy speaker and gave our assurances to support him for the position of speaker.”
