An aspirant contesting the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has met more governors as part of efforts to seek support for his ambition.
The Tajudeen Abbas Campaign Office made this known via a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, saying the aspirant had met the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari and the state Governor-elect, Umar Radda.
Abbas had on Saturday met the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as part of his campaign tour.
In the statement issued on Monday, the campaign office disclosed that Masari; and Radda, had endorsed Abbas, who had been endorsed by the All Progressives Congress for Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.
The Tajudeen Abbas Campaign Office in the statement titled ‘10th Assembly: Abbas Gets Masari, Radda, Aliero’s Endorsements for Speakership…as Governors Insist on Party’s Supremacy,’ disclosed that the governor and the governor-elect also endorsed Benjamin Kalu for the Deputy Speaker position.
According to the statement, Masari, a former Speaker of the House, while speaking at the late-night meeting on Sunday, said as a loyal member of the ruling APC, he believed the party’s choice should be respected.
The governor was quoted to have stated, “You said I’m a party man; you’re right. So, I’ll align myself with what the party says. Once the party takes a position, I’ll make sure that I stand with the decision and make it succeed.”
Masari advised Abbas and his team to intensify efforts and work hard to realise the APC decision, noting that the member representing Zaria Federal Constituency in Kaduna State had shown capacity over the years.
On his part, Radda reportedly said as party men, they would ensure that the APC decision on zoning was implemented to the letter, noting he was a product of the party hierarchy being a one-time National Welfare Secretary of the APC.
“I am a party man, and I believe we should work with what the party said. I called all our members-elect and told them to work with whatever the party decided. This is our project. This visit is just a formality. We in the North-West thank the party and the President-elect (Bola Tinubu) for ceding the position of Speaker to us. We have done a lot for the party, so we may ask for more.
“I am happy to see the kind of people with you. This is a pan-Nigerian project. You need the support of each and every person among the aspirants. You should reach out to each and every person to have their cooperation and support. Don’t forget to carry members of Katsina State along if God gives you the position.”
Similarly, Abbas met with a former Governor of Kebbi State and lawmaker representing Kebbi Central Senatorial District, Senator Adamu Aliero, also on Sunday.
Aliero, a former Minister of the FCT, said he was highly impressed by Abbas’ credentials both in and outside the legislature.
According to the statement, Aliero promised to mobilise members-elect from Kebbi in the Peoples Democratic Party for Abbas, saying the Kaduna lawmaker was the kind of leader the House needed at the moment.
The ex-governor said, “When I learnt that Hon. Tajudeen Abbas was visiting me, I said this is the moment I was waiting for. I had eminent Nigerians waiting for me, but I decided to wait for you. I know very well that the APC has taken a stand on zoning. I want to congratulate you on getting the APC endorsement. All we’re waiting for is the inauguration day. God willing, you’ll be there. I must commend you on your bipartisan approach. The best advice anyone can give you is to be fair and just to all the people that give you their support.
“Treat everyone equally. Don’t discriminate. Whatever comes to you, look at it nationally. You should be just to all. When there is justice, everything will be okay in the society. I can boast of giving you five members from Kebbi State. One of them is Hon. Tanko Sununu who is already working with you.”
The delegation also visited the Governor-elect of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, according to the statement.
Abbas and Kalu also visited Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on Monday to seek his support.
Photos and videos released by Abbas’ media office showed several members-elect in company with the APC candidates.
They include Abubakar Ali, Babajimi Benson, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, Steve Fatoba, Akeem Adeyemi and Olanrewaju Smart, the Chief of Staff to the outgoing Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, among others.
Meanwhile, a pressure group within the ruling party, the APC National Defence Coalition, has faulted an aspirant for the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the coming 10th National Assembly, Sani Jaji, claiming that he made the President-elect win the presidential election.
The National Secretary of the APC NDC, Abdullahi Kaura, at a press conference in Abuja on Monday argued that former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari; incumbent Governor Bello Matawalle and Senator Kabiru Marafa, led Tinubu to victory at the last election in the state and the North-West by extension.
Kaura said, “We have watched carefully, the video clip of Aminu Sani Jaji which is trending on social media and his political outburst about winning the election for Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Zamfara State. We have personal respect for Aminu Jaji and his personal ideologies but, surprisingly, I don’t know what motivated him to go to the extent he has gone because of that statement he made when they paid a protest visit to the National Chairman of the APC (Abdullahi Adamu) is absolutely ridiculing to his political status.”
