Buhari, Sanwo-Olu greet Speaker Gbajabiamila at 60

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined members and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in felicitating with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on his 60th birthday today.

The president, in a statement issued yesterday by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, sent warm greetings to the family, friends and associates of the political leader, whom he described as “patriotic and honest” personality who deserved “respect.”

President Buhari said, “I have observed Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila for a long time, in the sense that when I was watching debates in the House of Representatives, he used to be on his feet most of the time, passionately defending the party and issues he believed in.

“He impressed me very early as a committed member of the House of Representatives and I congratulate his constituency for keeping him there. I was very pleased that he eventually became the leader of the house.

“I am so impressed and pleased with the performance of the Speaker and Senate President Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan. At a certain stage, I called them and told them that I did not speak to them about what was happening in the National Assembly because I have so much confidence in them.

“Our party, APC, has the majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. I know both of them and endorse their leadership, so I should leave them alone to do their job.

“I wish Femi Gbajabiamila the best of luck and hope his constituency would maintain the confidence in him because he is a patriotic and honest person. I have a lot of respect for him.”

The president prayed that the Almighty God would grant the second longest-serving member of the House of Representatives, long life, good health and wisdom to keep serving the country.

In the same vein, the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has also congratulated the Speaker as he clocks 60 today.

Sanwo-Olu, who is also celebrating his 57th birthday today, described his birthday mate, Gbajabiamila, as an exceptional, committed, passionate, visionary and focused parliamentarian and politician, who has used his office as Speaker to provide exemplary and progressive leadership in the House of Representatives.

In a congratulatory message issued yesterday by his chief press secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu, praised Gbajabiamila for being a good ambassador of the people of Surulere federal constituency and Lagos State as a whole since his election into the legislative chamber in 2003.

He prayed God to continue to preserve and grant him good health to enable him to render more service to humanity.