The All Progressives Congress (APC) backed contestant for the position of Speaker in the about-to-be-inaugurated, ninth Assembly (House of Representatives), Femi Gbajabiamila, on Saturday, hailed Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for being the first governor in the country to back his candidature in the race for the Green Chamber.
Gbajabialia, who expressed appreciation for Ganduje’s straightforward, said it is an indication that the governor is a proponent of harmonious partnership between the Executive and Legislature, at the national level, as been practiced in Ganduje-led administration in Kano State.
This was disclosed when over 100 House of Representatives members-elect paid a thank-you visit to the governor, at Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, where they were hosted for dinner, alongside the National Treasurer of APC, Adamu Panda, Senator-elect from Kano North Senatorial District, Barau I. Jibrin and Arch Aminu Dabo, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), among others.
“Kano was the first state to demonstrate to our team its commitment, support and unflinching solidarity. All states queue behind you. Your Excellency, we appreciate this show of love for the about to be inaugurated 9th Assembly, as well as the nation in general,”
Also, he said, the teams were searching for more blessing from Governor Ganduje and “…kindly help us in the last push of our contest. Kano, without any fear of mincing words, is a pace setter in this contest. We all believe that your sincerity in supporting us, is highly commendable.”
Furthermore, the team disclosed that, the support they are getting cuts across all political parties in the country, citing an example with Hon. Beni Lar, from Plateau state.
Emphasizing that, all the 24 members-elect from Kano state, joined the queue from day one, “…courtesy governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, (OFR). We thank you very much Sir,” he stressed.
Responding, the governor assured that his support and that of the entire 24 members-elect from Kano state would continue to be unshakeable and straight forward
“While assuring you of my unrelenting support, I am at the same time re-emphasizing that all our 24 members-elect are solidly behind your contest and that of your running mate, Honourable Ahmed Wase,” he insisted.
To demonstrate to the Speakership candidate how advanced Kano is politically, Ganduje highlighted that, while Lagos members-elect were all APC, “… that of Kano is different.
We have very few others, who are from other opposition parties, but they are all behind your candidature. When Lagos state has homogenous members-elect, Kano’s case is heterogeneous.”
Ganduje revealed that the main reason behind the overwhelming support from the Kano legislators was because they promptly understood his body language; ab initio that he was more in tune with Mr Gbajabiamila.
“You know body language could be more accurate than spoken words or recommendation. While words can sometimes be contradictory, there is no contradiction, whatsoever in body language,” he noted philosophically.
According to him, the fundamental reason behind his unrelenting support for Gbajabiamila/Wase’s race is that:”We are all for you because of one important issue. This issue is institutional memory. Like in the United States of America, which we copy, you will see a legislator spending many years in legislative house, so as to master legislative work and all other requisites for productive legislative work.
With Hon Gbajabiamila’s fifth term to the House and Hon. Wase’s fourth term, I think it cannot be wrong for us to say, yes we are in safer hands.”
Ganduje reminded Gbajabiamila that, in 2015, he was in Kano, seeking his support for the same position, “You know I strongly supported you. Only that Allah didn’t make it possible that period.
So, you should, or rather must understand that our support this time round is also assured. So, all along, I have pitched my tent with you.
”You know that and that is why I am even thinking that, it is not necessary for you to come over to seek for something that you are already assured of getting and you will get it.”
Standing ovation immediately followed Ganduje’s powerful and inspiring remarks, with smiles and laughter on the faces of the visiting legislators, including the 24 members-elect from Kano State, who were present on the occasion.