The ongoing quest for the next Speaker of the House of Representatives according to many political observers have been labeled a two-horse race between Honourable Umaru Mohammed Bago, the member representing Chanchanga Federal Constituency of Niger State and the incumbent Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC Lagos).The Gbajabiamila’s camp had said that nothing concrete was realistically on ground in the opposition camp to stop the member representing Surulere Federal Constituency of Lagos State from becoming the Speaker of the 9th House.
Meanwhile, the report of rising support for Hon. Bago has been dismissed by the camp of Hon. Gbajabiamila who is the preferred candidate of the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
At the moment, the PDP has 128 members – including additional seven fresh members declared winners on Saturday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after a Supreme Court judgement annuling the APC’s victory in the last general elections.
Aside the foregoing, findings revealed that there are underground plots by some chieftains in the APC to back off Gbajabiamila’s campaign and support a candidate of north-central extract.
According to feelers in the House of Representatives, majority of the returning lawmakers and a section of the APC have teamed up with Hon. Bago and are vehemently working against the combatant-like disposition of the national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and National leader, Bola Tinubu in delivering the speakership position to Gbajabiamila.
Despite the zoning formula which seems to favour Gbajabiamila, Bago’s doggedness to claim the principal position in the green chambers has endeared him to his fellow lawmakers and he [Bago] is now largely seen as one who may spring the surprise of deflating the towering Gbajabiamila’s speakership campaign.
He recently travelled to Saudi Arabia for a lesser hajj and was pictured leading an Islamic prayer in another session.
Critics have however alleged that Gbajabiamila is also an elder in a Pentecostal Church.
Bago’s candidacy boosted as 156 members-elect reportedly declared their support for him
Bago was said to have got the endorsement of the members-elect after a meeting held at a location in Gwarimpa, Abuja, recently, where they all decided to vote for him during the election.
“Yes we have been meeting and we will continue to meet because ours is ideal to ensure equity and fairness among the six geopolitical zones of the country,” Director of Media and Publicity of Bago’s Campaign, Hon. Afam Ogene, said.
“We believe that Hon Bago is more than qualified to be Speaker, and coming from the North Central that has never occupied the position, we are sure he will be elected.”
Source: Guardian