Group endorses Gbaja for speaker as APC meets to decide on zoning

The Lagos state chapter of the All Progressive Youth Forum (APYF) has endorsed Femi Gbajabiamila for speaker of the house of representatives in the 9th assembly. 

In a statement on Monday, the group said Gbajabiamila has demonstrated his “true passion for issues concerning Nigeria through his ills, motions and debates in the house.”

The lawmaker, who is majority leader of the house in the 8th assembly and of the All Progressives Congress (APC), declared to run for the position on Sunday.

In the statement signed by Sola Osindero, APYF state coordinator in Lagos, the group said Gbajabiamila is best suited for the position, describing him as “a true believer in qualitative representation.””

“Everyone could recall how he led a movement within the House in 2007 to end the ‘third term debate’ agenda and machinations of the then President Olusegun Obasanjo to perpetuate his stay in office,” the statement read.

“As leader of the opposition in the House between 2011 and 2015, Hon. Gbajabiamila revived the role of the opposition in the House and continued to maintain a tough stance against the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“He was the first and only legislator to bring a motion on the floor of the House for the invocation of the doctrine of necessity, during the illness and absence of President Umar Musa Yar’adua, which led to the swearing-in of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as Acting President.

“Another landmark achievement of Hon. Gbajabiamila was when he Chaired House Adhoc Committee that investigated the claims by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) where about $1Bn was owed by Zenon Petroleum & Gas Limited and Forte Oil Plc which has been paid.”

Meanwhile, the APC leadership is expected to meet on Tuesday to decide on the zoning formular for national assembly leaders.

TheCable gathered that the national working committee of the party will meet in Abuja to decide on how to zone four key positions including senate president, deputy senate president, speaker of the house of representatives and deputy speaker.

Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the party, had said the APC will ensure all zones are represented in the leadership structure of the incoming assembly.