Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, a frontrunner for the position of Speaker of the incoming 10th House of Representatives, has revealed why the President-Elect chose him over his rivals.
The Zaria-born legislator believed the President-Elect chose him because of his pedigree and dedication to his duties in the lower legislative chamber.
“I want to believe, first and foremost, that he is impressed with my legislative contributions,” he says. I told him that I’ve been in the National Assembly since 2011, and that I’ve now been there for nearly 12 years in a row, and that I’ve helped to sponsor a number of bills.
“In the 8th Assembly, I sponsored 43 bills, placing me first among those who sponsored bills.” And in the 9th Assembly, I had the distinct honor of sponsoring 74 bills, 21 of which were signed by Mr. President and are now laws in the country.
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“Aside from that, I went to tell him where I came from, my academic background, and that I was a primary school teacher.” From 1989 to 1993, I was the head of a polytechnic’s accounting department. Between 2003 and 2005, I was also the head of the banking and finance department at a polytechnic. I was the first accounting professor at Kaduna State University.
“I told him about my private-sector experience, which included working as a marketing manager for the Nigerian Tobacco Company, which is now British American Tobacco.” I told him about my time there, up until I became the general manager of a subsidiary company before resigning and returning to the classroom in 2001.
“He is impressed by my credentials, the places I’ve worked, particularly in the public and private sectors, as well as my modest contributions to the National Assembly.” I’m sure whatever makes him say he’s happy with me has something to do with my experiences and qualifications.”
He stated that he believed the president-elect prayed for the other aspirants who visited him, and that he was confident that “the president-elect and the party will come up with an acceptable zoning that will be in the mutual interest of each and every Nigerian.”
“Every zone will have something to take home,” he said at the end of the party’s zoning arrangement. I can assure you of that. I am confident that the party will not abandon any region or zone for any reason.”
When asked if the House would be a rubber stamp if he became speaker, Rep. Abbas said there was no reason for anyone to accuse the National Assembly of being a rubber stamp because working harmoniously with the Executive arm should not be misconstrued as weakness.
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“What makes them think I’m weak?” The fact that you never come out to offend anyone? The fact that you are a team player; you play with everyone and live in the House with everyone? You don’t have any enemies; you only have friends. The fact that you make more contributions than any other member of the 9th Assembly? That you are qualified based on your experience in the public and private sectors? Is that a sign of weakness?
“Look, what people need to understand is that they should go look at each and every member’s pedigree and antecedents.” The issue of being a rubber stamp is irrelevant.
Wasn’t it the president-elect at the time, Muhammadu Buhari, who pushed for Femi and Senate President Lawan to become party candidates in 2019? Are we still saying, nearly four years later, that those people are rubber stamps for the Executive? No.”
