- This was revealed by the national publicity secretary of the APC, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu
- President Muhammadu Buhari held a dinner with APC House of Reps members elect last night where the decision was taken
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally adopted Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila as its candidate for the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the incoming 9th National Assembly.
This was revealed by the national publicity secretary of the APC, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a short message sent to journalists on Tuesday night, April 16.
The message read: “APC has adopted Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as its candidate for the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 9th Assembly.
“This position was reached after an intensive deliberation with the APC's House of Representatives members-elect at a dinner with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Banquet Hall of Aso Villa.
“The Deputy Speaker position has been zoned to the north-central.’’
Gbajabiamila, a fifth term lawmaker representing Surulere constituency 1, is the current Majority Leader of the House of Representatives.
His adoption by the APC puts to and speculations on whether the party will stick to him or not in the race for the Speakership.
Before now, the south-east and the north-central regions have been clamouring for the Speakership position in the 9th National Assembly.
The APC South East Renaissance Group (ASERG) on Thursday, April 11 at a press briefing in Abuja, said the south-east deserves the position.
The group said the south-east region has long been excluded and “all it needs is to be included as the politics of exclusion has not yielded much political dividend.”
On its part, the North Central Progressive Forum (NCPF), wants the position zoned to the north-central region.
The NCPF at a press briefing on Wednesday, April 10, endorsed Mohammed Umaru Bago as its Speakership candidate for the region.
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