‘We don’t want a bully’ — Reps-elect back Betara, Borno lawmaker, for speaker

Some new lawmakers elected into the house of representatives have declared support for the speakership bid of Muktar Betara.

The lawmakers-elect expressed their support for Betara at a meeting on Tuesday in Enugu.

The reps-elect cut across the six geo-political zones and from different political parties.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Dabo Haruna, an All Progressives Congress (APC) rep-elect for Toro federal constituency of Bauchi state, said the members-elect would tour the six geo-political zones to campaign for Betara.

“We are new members-elect from different political parties and irrespective of our party affiliations, we have resolved to support Muktar Betara Aliyu,” Haruna said.

“In furtherance of his campaign, honourable Betara who doubles as chairman of the house committee on appropriation has proved to the world that he is capable of leading the over 300 lawmakers.

“As you know, we do not want a bully as a leader in the 10th house of representatives, that is why he is our anointed candidate and we choose to begin awareness from Enugu.

“The idea is to create more awareness on the man they believe will lead them to pilot the affairs of the green chamber in the next democratic dispensation, hence the need for others to join the moving train.”

Betara, who represents Biu/Kwaya Kusar/Shani/Bayo federal constituency of Borno state, chairs the appropriation committee of the house of representatives.

He is among the hopefuls vying for the speakership position — although he is yet to make a formal declaration.

The Borno lawmaker was re-elected during the February 25 election and will be serving his fifth term when the 10th assembly is inaugurated in June.