10th NASS: Low Turnout as Gbajabiamila Begins Campaign for Tajudeen’s Speakership Bid

• The prevalent crisis in the camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the leadership of the 10th National Assembly is still on
• Hundreds of lawmakers and lawmakers-elect were reported to have boycotted an event organised by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila
• It was gathered that the Lagosian put the event together to launch the campaign of his successor, Abbas Tajudeen

FCT, Abuja - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has launched a campaign to support the speakership bid of the All Progressives Congress (APC)'s successor-elect Abbas Tajudeen.

It was gathered that the launch in Abuja on Wednesday, May 17, was greeted with a low turnout as several invitations were not honoured.

While speaking at the launch, the Speaker debunked speculations that he influenced the decision of the party to settle for Tajudeen.

Read also

"I regret supporting Tambuwal for House of Reps speaker": Gbajabiamila reveals

He said:

"North West geopolitical zone alone contributed 30% of the total votes for APC in the last elections, and if you conduct proper research, the North West zone has not been considered for the number four position in the history of our parliament."

It was gathered that the Speaker had requested an executive session to survey the attendance of lawmakers invited to the event.

Shortly after this was undertaken, it was gathered that only 73 members and members-elect honoured the invitation of the Speaker.

Gbajabiamila was said to have exited the Osun Hall of Transcorp Hilton shortly after the executive session.

Recounting the scenario at the event, a lawmaker who pleaded anonymity said:

"Gbaja was not happy seeing the number of lawmakers in attendance, and I think he has sensed danger, as an experienced politician, that his preferred candidate won't fly."

Read also

Senate Presidency: Fresh strategy emerges as Akpabio proves he has numbers to APC national chairman

The APC and the President-elect, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, had adopted Tajudeen, a member representing Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, for the position of Speaker in the next Assembly, to be inaugurated in two weeks.

Zoning of the number four citizen's position to the North West and the subsequent adoption of Tajudeen, it was gathered, was the brainchild of the current Speaker, Gbajabiamila, who prefers to continue holding the grip of the 10th House of Representatives, thereby making it possible for Tinubu to control the incoming assembly.

10th NASS: APC crisis deepens as fresh agitation for female deputy speaker emerges

Meanwhile, more pressure has begun to heap on the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the leadership of the incoming 10th National Assembly.

Despite the nomination of his preferred candidates, there have been agitations against his choices.

Tinubu left out the representation of women in his nomination, thereby causing an outcry for the consideration of a female lawmaker for the deputy speaker seat.

Source: Legit.ng