The Leader of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos), has officially joined the race for the office of the Speaker of the 9th Assembly.
Gbajabiamila, in company of 170 members-elect, made his intention known on Sunday in Abuja.
Gbajabiamila said he was in the race to unite the nation and to bring good governance closer to the people.
If elected Speaker, Gbajabiamila said, he would “galvanise the lawmakers to make life more abundant for all Nigerians.”
He said there was much work to be done by way of legislation in the area of education, health, power, infrastructure and alleviation of poverty.
In his remarks, the Femi Gbajabiamila Campaign Director General, Rep. Mumin Jibrin (APC-Kano), said that Gbajabiamila was the best candidate for the office.
According to him, the candidacy of Gbajabiamila was about democracy and bringing civility and global best practices to the legislature.
Jibrin said Gbajabiamila stands out as the best candidate, describing him as a bridge builder and a man with experience and legislative knowledge.
He promised to respect other contestants, run issue-based campaigns and urged all members to join the project.
Also, Rep. Mohammed Mongonu (APC-Borno), said that all party members should respect and protect party supremacy.
Mongonu, who read the citation of the candidate, said that it was normal for the minority leader to become majority leader when his party becomes majority.