Ahead of Tuesday’s inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State on Thursday said that State Governors across party lines have endorsed the choice of Senator Godswill Akpabio, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas Senator Barau Jibrin and Hon. Benjamin Kalu as the Presiding Officers the 10th Assembly as planned by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Leadership.
Gov Abiodun who made this known in Abuja on Thursday when he received a delegation of the Tajudeen/Abbas/Benjamin Kalu Campaign Team under the Joint Task – 10th Assembly said that the decision was taken during their meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, “We (governors) met with the President two days ago. During our meeting, he told us that the campaigns are over. He said that he would be President for all. So, he sought our understanding and collaboration.
“It is within the right of the President to seek those that will make his job easier. He has decided in collaboration with the party that these are the people that he wants to work with.
“All of us across party lines keyed into what the President told us. We had our meeting after meeting him and decided that we should support the President,”
He explained further that he met with the members-elect of Ogun State and told them “You’re standing solidly with Mr. President and the party. I, as Governor of Ogun State, am standing solidly behind you (Tajudeen Abbas).
He said that God gives power to whom He wishes at the time He wishes hence, noting that with the array of members-elect that have aligned with Abbas and Kalu, “it shows the level of support that you have.”
“I want to thank all those that have keyed into your leadership. As the President reminded us yesterday (during a meeting With. APC lawmakers-elect), these are positions for the party with the majority. But that party must seek the partnership of other political parties.
“You should carry along all members or most members to ensure that you succeed. Your success will be measured by the way your members take dividends of democracy to their people.
“I believe Hon. Tajudeen Abbas will provide meaningful, purposeful, meticulous, people-oriented leadership.”
The Governor pointed out that there could be only one occupant of the Speaker’s chair at a time, noting that “there are other smaller chairs that your members can occupy.”
Speaking earlier, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas said that the visit to the Governor was to seek his support, blessing and cooperation to be able to clinch the position and stabilize the 10th House.
He lauded the purposeful leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun and promised to carry all members along irrespective of their party affiliations if he emerged victorious on June 13.
Also, the Chairman of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo told the Governor that the forum adopted Hon. Tajudeen Abbas after the APC leadership announced him as its choice for Speaker.
He said the Joint Task was at the forefront of marketing the lawmaker, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency, purely based on merit.
According to him, “We present to you a parliamentarian par excellence. The only lawmaker in the history of our democracy that sponsored 74 Bills within a 4-year term, out of which 21 were signed into law by the president. We’re marketing Tajudeen Abbas on merit. As a favour, the party endorsed him as the speakership candidate.”
