Buhari Commended for Readiness to Work with Elected Officials of National Assembly

An aspirant for the speakership of the incoming House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has commended the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, over his non-preferential stance on the next leadership for the eighth National Assembly.

He said Buhari’s neutrality and disposition towards the offices would make the nation have the finest of its politicians at the helms of affair of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The politician, according to a statement issued at his Maitama, Abuja, office, said Buhari’s proclamation has thrown the contest open to all, even as he expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious whenever election is held for the speakership of the House.

According to the statement: “With the powerful and patriotic statement from the presidentelect yesterday, the coast has been cleared for competence to determine who becomes Speaker of the 8th Assembly. The President-elect has sent a clear signal that it will surely not be business as usual.

“It is a known fact that only if I am zoned out, under a free and fair contest, I will win with landslide margin at the 8th Assembly Speakership election. None of the aspirants can match my popularity or provide the needed compatibility with the incoming president to execute the needed reforms and deliver on our campaign.

“My key agenda of zero tolerance for corruption, transparency in legislative business, cutting cost of governance, increase in productivity and capacity building, continuity in legislative business and special attention to first term members to bring in fresh ideas and expertise will provide the necessary compliment for the incoming President. I have pledged to hand over 75 per cent of the available positions to first term members so as to inject fresh blood and usher in the desired change.

“As Chairman House Committee on finance, I executed my work deli gently without minding whose ox is gored. I stepped on many toes at a great personal risk in the course of doing the right thing. We accomplished so much as a Committee and saved the

government billions of naira. I protected the institution of the

parliament. I have never visited offices of Ministers or top government officials looking for favours except on oversight. As a

First Term Member, with the support of Mr. Speaker, I served as chair, finance for four years without being accused of any wrong doing.

“It is this mentality and momentum that I intend to carry along as Speaker. My deep knowledge of Nigerian’s public finance and economy will come handy as Speaker of the 8th House. Let’s not make the mistake of electing people that may have to resign few weeks after they are elected.

“The next four years is very critical to the future of our great country. We must put forward our first 11. I believe I have what it takes to lead a vibrant House that will work round the clock, side by side with other arms of government to put our country in the path of peace, justice and prosperity.

“In the next few days, I will intensify my campaign and reach out to various stake holders towards consolidating the comfortable edge I already have,” the lawmaker said.