The All Progressives Congress (APC) concensus candidate, Abbas Tajuddeen is set to become the Speaker of the incoming 10th House of Representatives as two top contenders for the seat, Mukhtar Betara and Yusuf Adamu Gagdi stepped down for him.
The duo stepped down for him after a meeting with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima on Sunday.
Their withdrawal has further weakened the G7 as Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Abubakar Makki Yelleman and Abdulraheem Olawuyi had earlier withdrew from the group.
A statement by the Abbas Tajuddeen/Benjamin Kalu Campaign office on Sunday stated that,”It is pertinent to mention that the so-called G7 no longer exists as key members of the forum such as Rt. Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Rt. Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, Rt. Hon. Makki Yalleman and Rt. Hon. Raheem Tunji Olawuyi, among others have since dropped their speakership ambitions and declared support for the Abbas/Kalu ticket.
“As of Sunday June 11, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas (PhD) has secured the endorsement of the overwhelming majority of members-elect across the eight political parties in the six geopolitical zones, and he is ready to compete on the floor of the House and take the mantle of leadership of the 10th House come Tuesday, June 13, 2023”.
Confirming the stepping down in a video after the meeting, Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima stated that, the duo have accepted to step down and endorse the candidature of Honourable Tajuddeen Abbas for the Speakership of the federal House of Representatives.
Shettima who was flanked by Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, Mukhtar Betara, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila and Niger State Governor, Umar Muhammad Bagos stated,”The president was quite touched by their gesture, because what binds us together is superior to whatever divides us . We are big APC family together, we shall… We cannot thanked them enough for their graciousness.
“And we want to commend the role played by the Chief of Staff to Mr President and his Excellency, the Executive governor of Nigeria State, , by the leadership of the party here represented by the deputy national chairman North, I think our party members will a sight of relief”.
The 10th National Assembly would be inaugurated on Tuesday, June 13th, 2023.
It could be recalled that, the APC had adopted Abbas Tajuddeen and Benjamin Kalu as it’s concensus candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the incoming 10th House of Representatives respectively.
It also adopted Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senator Barau Jibrin as it’s candidates for the 10th Senate President and Deputy respectively.
