Jubilation Trails Doguwa’s Return As House Leader

BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI, ABUJA – Wild jubilation by lawmakers, supporters and well wishers greeted Wednesday’s announcement by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila that the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus has unanimously decided to return Hon Alhassan Ado Doguwa as the House Majority Leader.

Doguwa had vacated the seat in November 2019 when the Court of Appeal endorsed the nullification of his electoral victory during the February 23, 2019 National Assembly poll.

The Speaker made the announcement after swearing-in Doguwa and five other new members of the House who won the court ordered re-run elections conducted on Saturday, January 25, 2020 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The occasion was witnessed by eminent personalities including Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Mano State; the three Senators from Kano, Senator Kabiru Gaya, Senator Barau Jibril, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, House members, party leaders from Kano and a host of party supporters from the Northwest State.

It was a carnival-like event as Doguwa, accompanied by other lawmakers from Kano state and their supporters, took over the entrance into the lower legislative chamber, thereby making it difficult for smooth movement into the House gallery.

Speaker Gbajabiamila, who explained the return of Doguwa as the House Leader, said; “By the unanimous contention and agreement, the APC caucus in the House has agreed to return Hon. Ado Doguwa as the Leader of the House of Representatives”.

Amidst chants of ‘Leader, Leader, Leader’ filling the air before and immediately after Doguwa was sworn in, the House Chief Whip, Mohammed Tahir Mongunu, moved a motion for him to resume his seat as House Leader and was seconded by Hon Taiwo Onanuga.

The development saw the atmosphere erupting in wild celebrations among party faithful who had stormed the National to witness swearing-in ceremony.

Earlier in the day, Ado Doguwa, as member-elect, had visited the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to present himself and solicit the Party’s support for his return as the House Majority Leader.

This followed his emergence during Saturday’s re-run election as the member representing Tudunwada/Doguwa Federal Constituency of Kano State in the House of Representatives.