The member representing Surulere I Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Sunday in Abuja started his campaign for the position of the Speaker of the legislative house.
He declared his intention to run and stated his reasons.
Gbajabiamila is the current Majority Leader in the House of Representatives and is of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
He contested for the same position in 2015 but was beaten to it by Yakubu Dogara.
At present, Gbajabiamila who enjoys the support of the APC, stands a good chance going by the large number of members of the party in the legislative house.
Speaking at the occasion, Gbajabiamila declared his intention to run for the post of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
He explained that his decision was informed by the need to bring governance closer to the people and unite the country.
He said since the legislators were expected to be the true representatives of the people, he would ensure that that objective was achieved.
His words: “I seek the office of the Speaker to bring our tendencies together and unite us as a country. I seek the office of the Speaker to bring governance even closer to the people. I seek the office of the Speaker to mentor the next generation. I seek the office of the Speaker so I can use the pulpit to galvanise Honourable members to make life more abundant for every Nigerian irrespective of tribe, religious background or political persuasion.
“There is so much work to be done by way of legislation in many areas of our life including but not limited to education, health, power, infrastructure and alleviation of poverty. I believe many of these deficits can be addressed through meaningful and impactful legislation.
“Historically the House of Representatives was established to be the people’s House and for the people‘s business. It follows therefore that the Speaker must be the people’s Speaker elected to do the people‘s business and champion their cause and in doing so fulfilling their hopes and aspiration. This is the Speaker I intend and hope to be and the House I intend and hope to lead a People‘s House.”
He said although Nigeria had not been where it should, he assured that gradually, it would attain the necessary height.
He said Nigerians had the ability to become great and with resources at its disposal that would be achieved.
He said he would put his experience in the legislature into use to make a success of the activities of the House of Representatives as Speaker.
“With all sense of humility, I seek this office with a rich legislative background and pedigree and having just won a historic 5th term mandate to the house, I have in the last 16 years dedicated my life to the service of my constituents and Nigeria.
“I have studied and understood the intricate workings of the legislature, a critical arm of government and I have come to understand the imperative of striking a delicate balance in the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government without compromising the latter‘s independence,” he said.
