SPEAKERSHIP: REPS MEMBERS, OTHER CONTESTANTS ENDORSE BETARA, REJECT IMPOSITION OF ABBASS

Abuja – Following his endorsement by most of his co-contestants for the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives in the incoming 10th Assembly, Rt Hon Mukthar Betara Aliyu has declared his intention to run for the office.

Betara, first elected to the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2007 to represent the Biu/Bayo/Shani and Kwaya Kusar Federal Constituency of Borno State stated that he was in the race ” to ensure independence of the parliament and to avoid imposition”

In his speech during the declaration covered live by major national TV stations, the 57 old legislator, who has a doctorate degree in accounting said:

“Today is our day. All the aspirants came to support me, we are one family. We are working together to save the parliament.

“I was surprised for my friend and boss, the Speaker to nominate one person not even among us here. He nominated one person some of us in the 9th Assembly don’t even know.

“I’m here to announce that I’m running for the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives. Thank you”

Meanwhile, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has just announced the endorsement of Rt Hon Tajudeen Abass for the office of Speaker, House of Representatives.

Abass endorsement was heavily rejected by the honourable members and members elect, at the live press conference who vowed to resist the imposition of principal officers by “some persons outside the House”.

Earlier on, some stakeholders in the affairs of the House of Representatives spoke, endorsing him.

In his speech, Hon Mukthar Umar, NNPP, a member elect from Kano State said,

“I’m not in APC but we, NNPP members, new members believe that the only person that will represent our interest as Speaker is Betara

Hon Sada Sule condemned the imposition of principal officers by the ruling party, saying;“The ongoing trend (imposition of principal officers)will spell doom for the National Assembly. We are here supporting our friend because of our fraternity”

Leader of 9th Assembly from Kano, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, described Betara as a shock absorber who will be needed by whoever wins.

He equally Condemned attempts by some people outside the House to try to determine the House speakership. Niger State Governor Elect attended. Mulikat Adeola, present

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Idris Wase equally endorsed him;

“We are here to ensure the independence of the parliament. That is why 5 of us, including Doguwa met and decided to work together to ensure that the house is not hijacked. Concensus candidate means that there was consultations but we just heard some people have been endorsed. Am a 5th term member. This hasnt happened before. We will defeat those forces that think they have the world in their pocket.”

Other speakers at the press conference include Hon Yusuf Gahdi, Hon Miriam Onuoha, Rt Hon Alhassan Doguwa, etc.