*Continue from where I stopped, Gbajabiamila urges new speaker
*We contested in defence of democracy, say Wase, Jaji
Udora Orizu in Abuja
The Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has said under his watch, the 10th House shall sustain and even surpass the gains of the 9th House.
Abbas who made this pledge in his acceptance and inaugural speech after his landslide election as Speaker of the 10th House, said the lawmakers shall carry out the task before them jointly.
He said the 9th House will introduce reforms and innovations for the benefit of Nigerians, announcing that in a few weeks, the Green Chamber shall be reeling out the legislative agenda that will shape the 10th House.
The Speaker said the House shall work closely and inter-dependently with the Executive and Judiciary to give Nigerians the good governance they deserve.
“We stand at a crucial juncture in our nation’s history, where challenges abound, but so do opportunities. We will champion legislations that will uplift the lives of our fellow citizens, promote social justice, and drive sustainable development. We will focus on strengthening our security apparatus, collaborating with relevant stakeholders to combat insurgency, terrorism, and all forms of criminality. We aim to help create a safe and secure environment that fosters economic growth and social stability.
“Through legislations, the 10th House will promote entrepreneurship and support small and medium-scale enterprises. We shall diversify our economy and provide sustainable employment opportunities for our youth. We are aware of the challenges in our education, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors amongst other. We will work in harmony with the executive arm, while upholding principles of checks and balances. Our collaboration will be anchored on the principles of transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.
“Working closely with my deputy, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, we shall provide purposeful leadership in the 10th House of Representatives. My dear colleagues, I invite you all to be on board for the next four years as we embark on this Nigerian Project to RENEW the HOPE of our people,” he said.
Abbas said his doors were opened to all lawmakers irrespective of political party differences as he strongly believed nation building is a Joint Task.
“This victory is not just about me; it is about all of us coming together as a united House to serve the Nigerian people diligently. It is about honouring the trust that has been placed on us and working tirelessly to deliver on our promises of good governance and effective representation.BIt is worthy to note that speakership campaign witnessed in the past few months was democracy at play. But today, all of that has come to pass, and it is time to forge ahead and work together for our people for our common good.
“I do not take this mandate bestowed on me as the Nigerian Speaker for granted. I want to assure you today that I shall be just and fair to every one of you irrespective of our perceived differences. I shall operate a House that you all will be proud of. I shall be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the House Rules. Our doors will be open for members of APC, PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, APGA, SDP, ADC and YPP as we strongly believe nation building is a Joint Task,” he added
The member representing Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had scored 353 votes to defeat the immediate-past Deputy Speaker of the House, Ahmed Idris Wase (APC, Plateau) and Aminu Sani Jaji (APC, Zamfara), who scored three votes each.
The open ballot system was adopted for the election in which members-elect one after the other to announce their choice of Speaker.
Total number of accredited voters for election was 359 out of the 360, due to the death of a member elect from Taraba State, Ismaila Yushau Maihanci.
The former University Lecturer, who was endorsed by the ruling APC, was nominated by the immediate-past Majority Leader of the House, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa (APC, Kano) and seconded by Nnaji Nnolim (PDP, Enugu).
The returning officer for the election and Clerk to the National Assembly Magaji Tambuwal said Abbas certified the requirements of the law and was returned elected and inaugurated.
Handing over to Abbas, the immediate past Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila who expressed confidence in the ability of his successor to pilot the affairs of the House and urged him continue from where the 9th House stopped.
Gbajabiamila said: “I wish you well. It’s not an easy feat. From what I know you will do a good job. We are your members and I congratulate you and on behalf of them I hand over my hand over notes as the speaker of the 9th Assembly. This will be a guide to you and I hope you continue from where I left.”
Also the Member-elect representing Bende federal constituency of Abia State, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, had emerged Deputy Speaker of the 10th House unopposed.
Kalu’s emergence followed the election of Tajudeen Abbas as the new Speaker of the House with a landslide victory.
The former House Spokesperson
was nominated by Lagos lawmaker-elect, Babajimi Benson.
After accepting his nomination and in the absence of counter nomination, the Clerk to the National Assembly Tambuwal, closed further nominations.
Consequently, Kalu was declared Deputy Speaker and thereafter administered oaths of office and that of the membership of the National Assembly.
Unlike Kalu who was nominated unopposed, Abbas had to slug it out with Wase and Jaji.
The former Deputy Speaker was nominated by Tijani Kayode from Kwara State (APC) and seconded by Abdulmumin Muhammed from Nasarawa State (APC).
The voting pattern showed that the duo of Wase and Jaji voted for themselves and their two nominators each, hence they both scored three votes respectively.
Accepting their nominations, Wase and Jaji said they were in the race for the protection and defence of democracy which could be in danger in the absence of justice and fairness.
The former Deputy Speaker said he was offering himself as the voice of the voiceless, saying his heart bleeds heart bleeds as he see what is going on in the country.
He said: “My respected colleagues, Members-Elect, I stand to first of all appreciate God Almighty for the journey so far in my life. We are very few, 360 among the over 200 million Nigerians to represent them and act on their behalf.
Colleagues, I want to thank you and appreciate. I want to say that I believe democracy should strive. Democracy should strive. I believe in equity, fairness and justice. I believe that Nigeria must move forward.
“I believe that we don’t need to truncate and tie our hands down. It is in the light of this that I pray that God Almighty continue from what our founding fathers have done who have sacrificed their lives for democracy. My heart bleeds as I see what is going on in the country. Colleagues, we all fought and continue to fight for democracy. I hereby submit myself to be the voice of the voiceless to be the true representatives of the Nigerian populace, to be a co-partner into the Nigerian development project. I hereby accept the nomination.”
On his part, Jaji said he was one of the ones who stood to defend democracy, adding that power comes from God.
“Today is a day of history, a day that all of us reckoned with democracy. This nomination comes to me as a source of concern and I feel excited that today on the 13 of June, I am one of those who stand to protect and defend democracy. It is like yesterday that we concluded the general election where all the political parties participated despite the fragile unity that we have in the country and by the grace of God we were able to overcome it. So this election will not be different from the other one, ” he said.
