Kunle Adelabu
The representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, has explained that the majority members of the House of Representatives are in support of the choice of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the next Speaker for the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, because of his credentials.
APC and the President – elect favour Abbas, who is representing Zaria Federal constituency in Kaduna State, a decision which did not go down well with some members.
Rep. Benson, speaking at the flag – off of the 1.1km Akin Ogunlewe Crescent in Igbogbo, a project that he facilitated, said that Abbas legislative records, which is unprecedented in the history of the country’s legislation, endeared him to many of the lawmakers as the right choice to occupy the enviable position in the 10th Assembly.
The lawmaker, who said that the massive votes that he garnered during the last elections has given him more responsibilities, described his constituents as most the valuable people.
“You have done greatly for me with your votes during the last elections by giving me over 60, 000 votes. I do not think that there is any Federal Constituency that recorded same number of votes in the South- West, South – East, South – South, North – Central and North – West”, Rep. Benson said.
“My constituents are the Most Valuable Constituents and Greatest of All Time (GOAT), because of your support at all times and because of your massive votes.
“The votes have added many responsibilities on me. I have been saddled to always be with our incoming Speaker, Rep. T.J Abbas. This is why I have not been in Lagos, and in my beloved constituency for a very long.
“I was able to attend this flag – off today because we came with the incoming Speaker to visit the Governor. I have to be here because what matters to me most are my constituents and constituency. I can’t trade them for anything, and I always want to represent them”, Rep. Benson said.
Explaining the zoning formula by the APC and why Rep. Abbas is the choice of the party and that of the President – elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Rep. Benson said:
“Though, we have a small issue in the House of Representatives regarding the emergence of a new Speaker because we also have some other candidates that are also qualified and are saying it is also their own turn”, he said.
“The North – West deserves to produce the Senate President because they gave us 2.8milion votes, but we already have Muslims as the President – elect and the Vice President – elect. We have to be sensitive and have diversity orientation.
“That was why they decided to have a Christian as the number three citizen and it can no longer be from the South – West which has produced the President. If you look at the South – South, the party recorded about 800, 000 votes in the region and South – East only gave us about 100, 000 votes.
“It is better we give such to the South – South”, he explained.
“For the Deputy Senate President, the area with largest votes in Nigeria, North – West was considered for their strength and support for the party. Same goes for the consideration for the position of the Speaker and we were saddled with the responsibility of selecting the most qualified candidate and our candidate is T.J. Abbas”, Rep. Benson said.
Explaining the legislative impacts of the party’s choice for the position of Speaker, Rep. Benson said:
“He is a Ph.D holder and in the 8th Assembly, he has over 30 Bills which is the highest, and in the 9th Assembly that we are rounding off, he has 74 bills which have never been attained in the history of our Parliament”, he said.
“Out of the 74 bills, 21 have been signed into law. He was a lecturer with vast experience of the Polytechnic and University systems. His credentials fit in since Asiwaju is a talent hunter”.
While soliciting for his constituents’ support and prayers for the President – elect, the Chairman, House Committee on Defense, also added that the party will continue to engage rhe aggrieved lawmakers.
“The North – Central that are occupying the party Chairman’s position are protesting, but the party has said that they are zoning the Secretary to the Government to their zone. What is happening now is not new. We will continue to appeal, assure and bring them around. We will be inclusive with them”, he said.
“We need your prayer and support to ensure that Asiwaju Tinubu’s first assignment is successful”, he appealed.
