Speakership: Abbas, Kalu visit Sanwo-Olu in Lagos, seek his support

Tajudeen Abbas, a member-elect and aspirant for the speakership of the house of representatives has visited Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, to seek his support.

Abbas, the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the position, visited Sanwo-Olu in Lagos, on Saturday, in the company of Benjamin Kalu, the party’s choice as deputy speaker.

TheCable had reported how the decision of the APC to nominate Abbas and Kalu as candidates for the leadership of the green chamber for the forthcoming national assembly has sparked controversy within the party.

Speaking during the visit, Abbas said he and others anointed by the party needed the support of Sanwo-Olu to “reach out to all the contestants and governors”.

He added that the governor’s guidance would also be needed to “heal the wounds” created by the ongoing national assembly leadership tussle.

“We are here for your prayer. Being one of the most loyal party governors, we believe your prayer and support will go a long way in actualising our goal,” the lawmaker said.

“We need your prayer to ensure that we will not only win come June 13 but that we will be able to stabilise the house and heal the wounds, particularly from various contestants in this race.

“We know you are a true Nigerian, you can reach out to all the contestants and governors and ensure we have unity of purpose in this particular project.

Speaking also, Kalu, who is also the house of representatives spokesperson, said their leadership would ensure equality while the demands of Nigerians would direct its decision-making.

“We are preaching the balancing of inequalities between members and gender and will ensure that,” he said

“We are going to project institutional trust driven by credibility, competence and capacity so that people can see that the national assembly is an institution they can rely on.

“The incoming speaker had told me that the gavel shall go in the direction of Nigerians and not his emotions or sentiment.”

Last Tuesday, Abbas also visited Bola Tinubu, president-elect, in Abuja.