Speakership: Iriase withdraws for Gbajabiamila

Another strong contender for the speakership of the 8th House of Representatives, Mr. Pally Iriase, on Thursday withdrew from the race.

                                 

In taking the decision, Iriase, an All Progressives Congress lawmaker from Edo State, declared support for the candidature of House Minority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila.

He took the decision barely three days after another contestant, Mr. Mohammed Monguno, also stepped down for Gbajabiamila.

Iriase said apart from trusting in the ability of Gbajabiamila to preside over the next House, he had also come to the realisation that “acrimonious contest” for the position of speaker was unnecessary.

“With a deep sense of responsibility and sacrificial self denial, I have decided, not withstanding my robust qualifications, to quit the race for speaker and fully support Gbajabiamila, the current Minority Leader, for the job,” Iriase told a news conference in Abuja.

Gbajabiamila, Chairman, Committee on House Services, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, and Iriase have been the front runners for the number four job in the country.  

However, the steps taken by Iriase and Monguno to back Gbajamialia, are seen as moves to block the chances of Dogara, believed to be the minority leader’s real challenger. 

Dogara (Bauchi State) and Monguno (Borno State) are from the North-East geo-political zone.

Explaining why he backed Gbajabiamila instead of Dogara, the Edo lawmaker stated that the speakership of Dogara was not feasible in the present political arrangement in the country, as it would not guarantee the equality of the North and the South in the sharing of key offices.

Iriase argued that it would be unfair for the North to produce the President, Senate President, Speaker and Chief Justice of Nigeria, while leaving the South with only the position of Vice-President.