As the race for speakership position in the 10th Assembly gets stiffer, these 8 ranking members of the House have so far gathered support to contest for the nation’s number 4 seat. However, their advantages and disadvantages differ.
Muktar Betara Aliyu
He is unarguably the most formidable candidate in the race, Betara has fondly called is perhaps the most popular lawmaker since the 8th Assembly. He enjoys the loyalty of well over 50 percent of lawmakers in the 8th and 9th Assembly and most of his colleagues refer to him as the Boss.
The accomplished accountant was first elected to the House in 2007 to represent the Biu/Bayo/Shani Federal Constituency of Borno State. Betara served as chairman committee on Army in the 7th Assembly, chairman committee of Defense in the 8th Assembly currently the chairman House Committee on Appropriations.
Advantages
-Enjoys the loyalty of many lawmakers across political party divides
-Known for always honoring agreements.
-Known for coming forth for lawmakers in financial needs.
-Banking on a 2019 agreement with Gbajabiamila’s camp
-Not known or associated with any scandal or controversy
-Financial war chest to prosecute his ambition
Disadvantages
– He is from the same geopolitical zone and the same state as the vice-president-elect, therefore, the APC zoning arrangement may not favour his ambition.
Ahmed Idris Wase
Some analysts have concluded that the contest is a two-horse race between Betara and Wase. Wase who is the current deputy speaker also enjoys a considerable measure of goodwill among his colleagues, but his pedigree may not be compared with that of his major contender.
Wase was elected into the Green Chamber in 2007 to represent his Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau State. In the 8th Assembly, he was chairman House Committee on Federal Character and later deputy leader of the House following the demise of Umar Buba Jibrin.
Advantages
– He enjoys the loyalty of a considerable number of members
– As the current deputy speaker, he’s believed to be more experienced
– APC may zone the position to his North Central zone.
– Financial war chest to prosecute his ambition.
Disadvantages
– The Gbajabiamila’s camp expected to be his major support base is rooting for another candidate
– He is not popular among southern lawmakers
– Only popular among APC lawmakers
– He is not as generous compared to Betara
Tajudeen Abbas
Smooth operator, quiet and focused, Abbas Tajudeen Ph.D. is one of those who understands legislative business too well. I monitored his election amid fears that PDP was taking some federal constituencies in Kaduna State. I was the first to drop his name for the position shortly after the general elections and will be happy to see him spring a surprise in the contest.
Abbas who is the chairman House Committee of Land Transport, was first elected to represent his Zaria Federal Constituency in 2011. He is among those who have so far recorded the highest number of bills sponsored in the 9th House.
Advantages
– Believed to be backed by the Gbajabiamila’s Camp
– APC may compensate his North West zone for huge votes
-Eloquent and intellectually savvy
Disadvantages
– His ambition depends solely on power play among APC bigwigs.
– Less influential among lawmakers
– Limited financial resources
– Inadequate interpersonal relationship with lawmakers
Sanni Jaji
Aminu Sanj Jaji is not a known protégée of former Zamfara State governor Abdulaziz Yari. He was chairman House Committee on Intelligence in the 8th Assembly but could not make it to the 9th Assembly due to the crisis rocking the APC in his Zamfara State.
Advantages
– Close to the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
– Party may zone to the North West
Disadvantages
– His ambition depends on APC power play
– Not familiar with many members of the 9th Assembly
– Little or no influence on his colleagues
– Not popular among southern lawmakers
Sada Soli
The chairman House Committee on Water Resources is less known until the controversial National Water Resources bill appeared in the House. He is also believed to be close to the powers that be in the APC.
Advantages
– APC may zone to North West
– He may enjoy support from party machinery
Disadvantages
– His ambition depends on APC power play
– Inadequate interpersonal relationships with other lawmakers
– Less influential
– Not popular among southern lawmakers
Yussuf Gagdi
Yussuf Adamu Gagdi who represents Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke federal constituency of Plateau State is the chairman House Committee on Navy. He joined the federal parliament with loads of experience in the Plateau State House of Assembly.
Advantages
– Seem to have the support of the current speaker, Gbajabiamila
– Party may zone to North Central
Disadvantages
– Relatively new to the House
– Less Influential
– Not popular among southern lawmakers
– Limited financial resources
Benjamin Kalu
The spokesperson of the House is also a first-term lawmaker representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State. He will be joining the 10th Assembly for his second tenure but his strategic position in the 9th Assembly exposed him to the who is who in the Green Chamber.
Advantages
– Party may zone position to South East
– He is bold, confident, and eloquent
– Has the carriage to lead the House
Disadvantages
– His ambition depends on the APC power play
– Less influential
– Limited financial resources
– Relatively new to the House.
Makki Abubakar Yalleman
The gentleman lawmaker who represents Mallammadori/Kaugama Federal Constituency of Jigawa State is the deputy chairman House Committee on Defense. Apart from the consistent mention of his name by the Speaker, Gbajabiamila on the floor of the House not much is known about the easy-going lawmaker.
Advantages
– Party may zone to the North West
Disadvantages
– Less Influential
– Less popular among southern lawmakers
