Tajudeen Abbas, the All Progressives Congress preferred aspirant for the speakership position in the incoming House of Representatives, has expressed confidence in his campaign, claiming support from 107 members of opposition parties.
This assertion was made by Abbas during a visit to outgoing Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong at his residence in Abuja.
On his campaign trail, he was joined by Abbas’ running mate, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and the convener of the Joint Task, a group of members-elect from eight political parties with seats in parliament.
The purpose of the visit was to seek the assistance of Governor Lalong.
Plateau State had two major candidates for speaker: Hon. Idris Wase and Yusuf Gagdi.
Despite this, Abbas urged Governor Lalong to back his cause, emphasizing that their goal is to benefit Nigeria as a whole.
Abbas stated;
We are here, Your Excellency, in spite of the fact that you have two candidates, to plead with you to support our cause because our cause is a Nigerian cause. We are a unity project member here. We have membership across all eight political parties. And I can confidently say, sir, that as of yesterday (Sunday), we have 107 members from minority parties on board this project.
Governor Lalong, in his response, encouraged the aspirants to consider the interests of the North Central zone if they were to win the speakership.
He emphasized the importance of loyalty and respect for party leadership, drawing from his own experiences in politics.
The Governor stated;
So, let me first congratulate all of you for winning your elections, and also congratulate your supporters who made you win the elections. It’s not easy. And you know that if you have been in politics, you will know that politics is about loyalty. Politics is about being obedient. Not the other obedient (laughs). Being obedient to your leaders, our own leaders. And being respectful to the party. So, when we finish like this there are bound to be different opinions, there are bound to be different interests. I was also a legislator. I was just sharing with him how I became the speaker.
As DG campaign, I was very loyal, and I remain loyal to the President-elect who was my boss and also the Vice President-elect and also to the leader of the party for now, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
So, today we have elected a President, and have elected a Vice President. Definitely, their words will be our wisdom. So, I will say that I have listened to you. I can say you are even the first person to have come to me, in spite of the fact that I have two of my own that also indicated interest. But I granted you audience to see you. And I saw you. When I said I saw you, you know what I mean. But if you become the Speaker and deputy, look at some of our interests too in the North Central Zone. Not that they are crying, they are crying on our behalf. So if you get it, please don’t forget us in the North Central. But as I have received this message, I want to assure you that I will carry it forward. Even in the absence of the President-elect the Vice President-elect is already moving and the DG must support him for us to move forward.
In related news, the candidates met with Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. Both governors emphasized critical considerations for aspirants if they were to secure their colleagues’ mandates.
Governor Zulum urged them to address political corruption in Nigeria, emphasizing that the country has unlimited resources but are hampered by endemic corruption. He also emphasized the importance of inclusivity and reaching out to other candidates for the same position.
Similarly, Governor Mohammed emphasized the importance of respect for established authority and collaboration between the executive and legislative branches. He assured the aspirants that he would discuss their wishes with the Bauchi State members-elect.
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