Speakership: Having Backed Gbajabiamila, It’s My Turn Now — Ado-Doguwa Woos Colleagues
BY VICTOR BUORO – The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, says having demonstrated goodwill by putting his ambition on hold for Femi Gbajabiamila to emerge Speaker of the 9th National Assembly, it is now his turn to mount the House leadership saddle in the interest of fair play.
Officially declaring his bid for the Speakership office in the coming 10th National Assembly, Ado-Doguwa, who represents Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency in Kano State, said his journey to the House leadership can be likened to that of the incumbent Speaker.
The lawmaker, who addressed a media conference in Abuja on Wednesday, said there has been wide consultations and engagement with various stakeholders after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner of the supplementary election and subsequently issued him with the Certificate of Return.
He further hinted on being “approached by many Nigerians, mostly my colleagues, who urged me to declare my intention to contest for the speakership of the House of Representatives in the 10th Assembly.”
The returning legislator said those urging him to run believe he is among the eminently qualified candidates for the job, adding; “Not just because I am deserving, but because I have the capacity and experience to deliver on the expectations of millions of Nigerians who believe that our democracy must be led by competent and experienced leaders”.
According to him; “I am a strong and committed party man and have stated it categorically clear in other fora that, because of my absolute loyalty to the party and my unflinching respect for party supremacy, my ambition will be predicated only on the condition that the party zones the speakership position to the North-West Zone which is my immediate constituency.
“I have realised that it is necessary to heed the call of the people who believe in my capacity to seek the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.”
Similarly, the House Majority Leader said; “I am committed to working with my colleagues and all Nigerians to deliver on their expectations and to preside over the house to the best of my ability in the overall interest of the people.”
Insisting that he has paid his dues and “it is time to reward my stewardship to both the parliament and the nation”, Ado-Doguwa went down memory lane, recalling that between 2011 and 2015, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had a majority in the House and controlled the leadership in that dispensation, while Femi Gbajabiamila was nominated by the South-West Caucus as Minority Leader.
Also, he said from 2015 to 2019 when the All Progressive Congress (APC) enjoyed majority position in the House, “it was only natural that the Minority Leader transits to Majority Leadership position”, even as he further mentioned the sacrifice made immediately the convention was proposed.
Ado-Doguwa explained that he agreed to step down and give room for Gbajabiamila to assume the position of Majority Leader while he settled for the Chief Whip position despite having been tipped earlier for the Majority Leader post
“Fast forward to 2019-2023, 9th Assembly, in keeping faith with the convention of the House, when the speakership position was zoned to the South-West, it was only natural that my brother and good friend, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, the then Majority Leader, was the only one adopted for the speakership position, the rest is now history”, he said
Further canvassing his case, the lawmaker said; “By the special Grace of God, I stand out as the oldest serving member from the North-West zone in the House, and with the support of my colleagues, I am the Leader of the North-West and the Leader of the APC Caucuses in the House.
“God willing, I will be the Speaker that would see through the implementation of the Renewed Hope 2023-Action Plan for a Better Nigeria anchored by our amiable and tested President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Ado-Doguwa is seeking the speakership position amid being put on trial by the Police for alleged crimes. On February 28, 2023, the Police arrested him at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, while he was boarding a flight to Abuja.
Currently on bail, the lawmaker is being charged for alleged criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of a firearm, mischief, and public disturbance among others.
Meanwhile, emerging signals indicated that the House Leader joined the race last weekend when he issued a notice to his colleagues informing them of the decision to seek the position of Speaker in the 10th National Assembly.
Approached on the issue, the lawmaker said; “The letter is an open letter to all of our members-elect captured on a hand pamphlet. We, however, intend to make a formal declaration of intention to run for the Speakership of the 10th NASS.”
