Ahead of the June 11 inauguration of the 9th Assembly, some governors of northern states have endorsed House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos) as speaker of the incoming House of Representatives. Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and his Borno State counterpart, Babagana Zulum, disclosed this yesterday when the Gbajabiamila‎/Wase Campaign Council and over 130 lawmakers visited them.

The governors said Gbajabiamila and his running mate, Idris Wase (APC, Plateau) possessed the requisite track record and legislative experience to carry through the needed reforms in the 9th House.

According to El-Rufai, contrary to insinuations that Gbajabiamila was being sponsored by Bola Tinubu, it was President Muhammadu Buhari himself who chose him. He added that Gbajabiamila’s candidature was informed by his track record as an experienced lawmaker dedicated to legislative duties.

“Some of our colleagues (governors) raised some misgivings but it’s just a matter of working chemistry, whom you can work it comfortably, not competence or whatever.

“The last four years in the National Assembly have taught us bitter lessons about working chemistry, and here in Kaduna State, I take part in choosing who becomes the Speaker of the State Assembly. So, I told the President that he must be involved in the process this time around,” he said.

Earlier, the Director-General of Gbajabiamila/Wase Campaign, Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano), said the 121 members-elect from the House of Representatives were in Kaduna State to formally introduce the candidates to the governor for his blessings.

Another major contender for the position, Abdulrazak Namdas (APC, Adamawa) has stepped down and joined forces with Gbajabiamila’s camp. (Daily Trust)