APC Zoning: Finally, Name Of Speaker And Deputy Emerged — Gbajabiamila, Jibrin may become next Speaker, Deputy

As consultations heighten on sharing of offices in the Muhammad Buhari administration continue, indications have emerged that Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos) and Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano) may become speaker and deputy speaker of the 8th Assembly which will be inaugurated in June.
DAILY POST reliably gathered that already, APC lawmakers – newly elected and re-elected – are favourably disposed to the idea being subtly promoted by some key stalwarts of the party.
Brilliant and energetic, Gbajabiamila, 43, is currently the minority leader of the House.
He was first elected in 2003 to represent Surulere 1 Constituency of Lagos State and has been an active voice.

Apart from his 12 years experience in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, he is a respected lawmaker who is also seen as a detribalised Nigerian.
Gbajabiamila is a founding member of APC and one of those who pressurized influential politicians to join the party prior and after its formation.
His ties with senior lawmakers across the country, closeness to party co-founder, Bola Tinubu, as well as the president-elect will also work for him.
Tinubu, DAILY POST learnt, is keen on having one of his staunch loyalists from the South-West head one of the two arms of the legislature and since the Senate Presidency will be filled by a Northerner, the Speakership is within reach.
For his part, Jibrin, 39, was the first to declare for Office of the Speaker.
About five of his colleagues are now in the race.
At a press conference last week, Jibrin said he desires to help deepen the change that has taken hold of the political space.
He vowed to make public the running cost of representatives in Nigeria.
“The government has to cut down the cost of governance. I believe the cost of governance is part of the president-elect’s mandate, and this is mine as well,” he said.
Jibrin represents Kiru/Bebeji federal constituency of Kano State.
He has been chairing the Finance Committee of the House since 2011 when he was first elected.
However, the two factors that may work against him are his duration as a lawmaker and zoning formula.
Many lawmakers may kick against any decision to have a member who entered the House in 2011 lead them.
Also, the president-elect is a Northerner, while the North-East and North Central are in favoured to get the Senate Presidency.
Thus, having a North-Westerner as the Speaker is an idea that may not even be considered.
“Part of the options on the table is to make Jibrin the DS (Deputy Speaker)”, an APC chieftain confided in DAILY POST.
“I have highlighted factors against his candidature. But we cannot rule out his expertise in finance management, passion for results and commitment to the party, hence his consideration by party leaders,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will meet tomorrow to ratify the zoning of principal officers of the National Assembly.

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