House Of Reps Speakership: Abbas, Kalu Take Campaign To Lagos, Visit Sanwo-Olu
A member-elect and aspirant for the Speakership of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has visited Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to seek his support.
Abbas, the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the position, visited Sanwo-Olu in Lagos, on Saturday, in the company of Benjamin Kalu, the APC’s choice for the position of Deputy Speaker.
The ruling APC nominate Abbas and Kalu as candidates for the leadership of the Green Chamber in the forthcoming National Assembly.
At the engagement held at the State House, Marina, Sanwo-Olu told the Reps members-elect that the incoming leadership of the 10th National Assembly (NASS) should reflect the diversity of the country, describing both NASS chambers as “people’s houses”.
The governor pointed out that the race to fill the principal positions of the parliament usually involved fierce competition that would pit members against one another, but he said the objective for vying for presiding seats in the legislature should reflect the interests and aspirations of the people.
The Lagos State’s number one citizen also said the unity of the country was more important than the aspirants’ ambition, even as he urged Abbas and team not to take any member-elect for granted. He said Reps’ leadership should reflect the yearnings of the people.
He said: “This race to elect leadership in the House of Representatives should reflect the true federal composition and political diversity of the country. Here today, I have seen diverse political parties and representatives from all regions coming together to work as a team in electing the Speaker. I urge you not to stop at this; you should further deepen your engagement and extend a hand of comradeship to every member.
“I have observed that despite having the support of the party, you are not resting on your oars and leaving anything to chance. I urge you to ensure that your engagement is total, transparent and inclusive. Other aspirants are eminently qualified to do the same engagement. They are known to us and they will be brought to the room for conversation. Our wish is to ensure that the position of the party is respected and adopted at the Green Chamber when the House convenes.”
Sanwo-Olu charged Abbas and his team to brace up for the task ahead, urging the Speakership aspirant to bring his political experience and academic pedigree to bear if elected. The task before the next Assembly, the governor stressed, is to meet and surpass achievements recorded by the ninth Assembly.
This, Sanwo-Olu said, is the minimum expectation from the incoming legislative leadership to justify the level of support received from the people.
He said: “I have read about Speakership and Deputy Speakership aspirants. Your pedigree and resume speak to excellence. I believe you have what it takes to lead the House of 360 members from diverse backgrounds so that we can have purposeful executive-legislative engagement and bring about meaningful dividends of democracy to our countrymen.
“At the end of the day, your aspiration is not about you or your colleagues in the chamber but about Nigerians. The objective must be about joining forces with the incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make life better for the people, improve the economy and strengthen security. Greatest good must be achieved for the greatest number.”
Abbas, elected for the third consecutive time, said the unity of the country and the House topped his agenda, noting that his teams comprised members-elect across party lines.
The lawmaker said the recently held general elections further caused more divisions within the country, stressing that president-elect Tinubu, whom he described as a unifying leader, required to have detribalised Nigerians to be at the helm of affairs in the legislature in order to heal the nation.
He said: “Our agenda is to make sure the country is united to confront the current challenges. We undertake this task of leading the House to create a constructive relationship between the executive and the legislature that will be devoid of rancour. Where there will be differences, we will ensure issues are resolved through dialogue. The stability of the House is sacrosanct. We will heal the wound, particularly from various contestants in this race.”
Abbas urged Sanwo-Olu to reach out to governors and other aspirants for the position for conversation that would make the election of presiding officers hitch-free. He pledged he would not fail the party and predecessors.
Abbas urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to speak to his fellow governors about the need to buy into the agenda.
He further said, the governor’s guidance would also be needed to “heal the wounds” created by the ongoing National Assembly leadership tussle.
“We are here for your prayer. Being one of the most loyal party governors, we believe your prayer and support will go a long way in actualising our goal,” the lawmaker said.
“We need your prayer to ensure that we will not only win come 13 June but that we will be able to stabilize the House and heal the wounds, particularly from various contestants in this race.
“We know you are a true Nigerian, you can reach out to all the contestants and governors and ensure we have unity of purpose in this particular project.
Also speaking, Kalu, who is also the House of Representatives spokesperson, said their leadership would ensure equality while the demands of Nigerians would direct its decision-making.
“We are preaching the balancing of inequalities between members and gender and will ensure that,” he said.
“We are going to project institutional trust driven by credibility, competence and capacity so that people can see that the National Assembly is an institution they can rely on.
“The incoming Speaker had told me that the gavel shall go in the direction of Nigerians and not his emotions or sentiment.”
Last Tuesday, Abbas also visited Bola Tinubu, president-elect, in Abuja.
The ruling APC has a majority of members-elect in both chambers of the National Assembly and it is expected to form the next leadership.
The 10th Assembly is scheduled to convene on 13 June 2023, the same day lawmakers-elect will choose their presiding officers.
Eighteen-Eleven Media
