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A political group known as the North-West Democratic Front has endorsed the bid by Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 9th Assembly.
The group gave the endorsement in a statement signed by its Chairman, Abubakar Ainu. The group however pointed out that Gbajabiamila needs a strong deputy to succeed.
According to Ainu, who is a former Sokoto state chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Gbajabiamila needs a strong and loyal deputy like Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar from Sokoto State.
He said: “On behalf of the people of the North-west, we hereby endorse the declaration of Femi Gbajabiamila to run for office of the Speaker of the 9th Assembly.
“Our endorsement is in line with the spirit of members of the House which was displayed when Gbajabiamila, the House Leader and five time legislator, (APC-Lagos), made his formal declaration on the 31st of March and was accompanied during his official press release by returning and new members, who were over 100 in number.
“We are also convinced by Gbajabiamila’s pledge to mentor the next generation and unite the nation which informs our recommendation for Sarkin Adar, another strong nationalist to be made Deputy Speaker.” The group said.
The group described Gbajabiamila and Sarkin Adar as competent, tested representatives of proven integrity, honesty and experience in addition to being core party loyalists.
On why Sarkin Adar deserves to deputise Gbajabiamila, the North west group described the Sokoto lawmaker as one of the rarest unapologetic believers in the grand ideals of President Muhammadu Buhari and the ideals of the APC.
The Group noted that Musa Sarkin Adar who represents Goronyo/Gada Federal Constituency of Sokoto state would make a competent deputy for Mr Gbajabiamila who is eminently favoured by the APC for the speakership.
According to the statement, Sarkin Adar, who represents Goronyo/Gada Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, has vast experience in the public sector having served as Director in the Governor’s Office, and Personnel Manager at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
It said Sarkin Adar spearheaded the move against the imposition of a Speaker on the house by the then ruling party in 2011.
“In the 2007 elections, he contested for the House of Representatives seat and won and got re-elected in 2011″, it said.
“He also made the nomination for Emeka Ihedioha as the deputy speaker on the floor of the house and the nomination was seconded by Hon Kumo.
“In the 2015 elections, he re-contested on the platform of the APC and won”
Sarkin Adar was Chairman, House Committee on Electoral Matters in the 6th Assembly and Chairman House Committee on Land Transport in the 7th Assembly.