Sokoto State governor, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on Monday gave an insight into the role he played in the emergence of Hon. Yakubu Dogara as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House, said the issue of competence, led to the endorsement of Dogara by eight out of 10 members of the body of Principal Officers of the Seventh Assembly.
Speaking for the first time on his role in the election which pitched Dogara against the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the governor said he supported Dogara not for any reason but because he was competent to deliver on any task given to him.
Tambuwal spoke in Sokoto when leaders of Sayawa Community of Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Areas of Bauchi State paid him a thank-you visit for supporting Dogara to become Speaker.
Tambuwal said the survival of the legislature as an important arm of government makes it imperative that competent hands are headhunted to be its leaders.
“Eight out of 10 members of the Body of Principal Officers in the last Assembly supported Dogara’s aspiration. Only Hon. Femi (Gbajabiamila) and Hon. Datti Ahmad supported Femi. I have strong affinity with Gbajabiamila. He was closer to me than Dogara.
“But when talking about leadership and collective decisions, sentiments have to be put aside. I’m not here to tell you that my support made Dogara the Speaker, no. Two things made Dogara to become the Speaker; one is God and two, Dogara’s competence.
“The acknowledgement of Dogara’s competence did not start with me. It started from the time of Hon. Patricia Etteh and Hon. Dimeji Bankole when they entrusted him with a sensitive position of the Chairman of House Services Committee.
“The committee is one of the most sensitive in the legislature. Apart from taking care of the welfare of members, the committee oversees all procurement processes. As the Speaker, I only did what my predecessors did by giving Dogara this sensitive position.
“No person, as far as I know, has ever served as chairman of the House Services Committee in two dispensations. Dogara broke that jinx. All through my tenure, I brought Dogara close to me because I have found in him a person who is competent, accommodating, and with capacity to lead.
“Anyone doubting Dogara’s ability to lead, should ask members of the Seventh Assembly how he handled their matter. So, we supported Dogara not for any reason but because he was competent to deliver on any task given to him.”
Tambuwal said the relationship between the people of Sokoto and Bauchi states was amplified in the First Republic when the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, worked in harmony with the leader of his party and then Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahamdu Bello.
In his remarks, paramount ruler of the Sayawa, Gung Zaar (select), Ishaku Komu, thanked Tambuwal for reviving the age-long relationship between Bauchi and Sokoto states, saying the entire community will forever be grateful for the confidence shown to Dogara.
Also in his remarks, Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Prof. Sulaiman Bogoro, assured that the people of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Federal constituency are hardworking and will strive to justify the confidence shown to their son.
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