House Speakership: Akeredolu, Others Back North Central, Wase

As the race for leadership positions in the 10th session of the National Assembly gathers momentum, two governors on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have thrown their weight behind the quest of the North Central zone to produce the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Governors Oluwarotimi Akeredolu(Ondo) and Yahaya Bello (Kogi) bared their minds separately when they received the current deputy speaker of the Lower Chamber, Ahmed Idris Wase who paid courtesy calls on both chief executives.

While Wase visited the Kogi governor in his Abuja residence over the weekend, the number two man of the Green Chamber was received in an audience by Governor Akeredolu at the Governor’s Lodge, Akure on Monday (yesterday).

In the case of Governor Bello, he was said to have told Wase that he (Bello) carried a moral burden if he did not support the North Central’s quest for the House of Representatives speakership.

“So this is not just the time of the north central but your time because you are a loyal party man to the core who has not made any attempt to disobey the party”, he said.

But while receiving Wase, Governor Akeredolu said Wase remained a consistent force within the party as the National Assembly moved to put in place its leadership.

“I’m surprised at times when some people ask if I know you, Wase. Little do they know that you are not just well known to me, but that I know you possess qualities of a consistent and loyal party man.

“You have displayed this over the years looking at your political background right from the period of the then AC to ACN and then to APC. You have never faltered; you have demonstrated great sportsmanship over time.

“I remember when we met in 2019 and resolved against you in favor of Gbaja, you were asked to take the position of deputy speaker and you gladly accepted. That is the kind of man we need and I have no doubt that you possess the qualities required to stabilise the incoming administration.

“And let me say this; and this is personal to me because I’m speaking for myself. For me, all those jostling for the speakership position from the North East and South West should have a rethink and allow fairness, justice and equity.

“South West has the president and the North East also has the vice president, so why the rush from anyone from these zones to be a speaker. These two zones should leave the race if anyone is gunning for the position from either of the areas.

“So the north east that has not produced the speaker before should be considered and see in Wase what we need. But beyond that, we in the Southwest believe it is good for us to produce the deputy speaker. That is our quest, our desire and when we meet at our level whether as APC governors, South West governors or NEC, that will be my personal opinion, anyway.”

Meanwhile, a pressure group within the APC, APC North West Youths Agenda has defended the aspiration of Hon. Tajudeen Abbas as ordained by Allah.

The group described those touting the “former Speakership positions of Salisu Buhari, Ghali Umar Na’abah, Bello Masari as well as Aminu Tambuwal as enough for the northwest are ingrates”.