Tambuwal: Why I Backed Dogara As House Of Representatives Speaker

Source: thewillnigeria.com

BEVERLY HILLS, August 10, (THEWILL) – Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and current Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Monday gave a full insight into the intrigues that led to his endorsement and eventual emergence of his successor and incumbent head of the lower chamber of the National Assembly, Hon Yakubu Dogara.

Speaking for the first time on his role in the election which pitched Dogara against the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Tambuwal said the issue of competence led to the endorsement of Dogara by eight out of ten members of the body of Principal Officers of the 7th Assembly.

Tambuwal spoke in Sokoto when leaders of Sayawa Community of Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Areas of Bauchi State paid him a thank you visit to show appreciation for supporting Dogara's bid.

He said the survival of the legislature as an important arm of government makes it imperative that competent hands are headhunted to be its leaders.

“Eight out of ten members of the Body of Principal Officers in the last Assembly supported Dogara’s aspiration. Only Hon Femi (Gbajabiamila) and Hon Datti Ahmad supported Femi.

“I have strong affinity with Hon Femi. He was closer to me than Dogara. But when talking about leadership and collective decisions, sentiments have to be put aside. I’m not here to tell you that my support made Dogara the Speaker, no. Two things made Dogara to become the Speaker, one is God and two, Dogara’s competence.

“The acknowledgement of Dogara’s competence did not start with me. It started from the time of Hon Patricia and Etteh and Hon Dimeji Bankole when they entrusted him with a sensitive position of the Chairman of House Services Committee,” he added.

Written by Muhammad Bello.