El-Rufai Reveals Lawmaker He Is Backing For Speaker

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has thrown his weight behind Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila for the position of Speaker of the soon to be inaugurated 9th National Assembly.

The governor made this known when he received 121 members-elect, who were on consultation tour of Northwest.

El-Rufai pledged to lobby Reps-elect to vote for Femi Gbajabiamila in the Speakership race.

“It’s a misconception that Gbajabiamila is Asiwaju’s project, no because it was President Buhari himself that has always observed Femi in the House,” El-Rufai said.

“Even before he became President, he read newspapers and watch television and he followed Gbajabiamila, his dedication and contributions on the floor and he said this time around I want Femi.

“I’m sure Asiwaju is happy but this is not his project, he is not the one that zeroed in on him.

“The President told me himself and when I asked him that I heard this story about Gbajabiamila and he told me his reasons.

“At Governor’s Forum, people raised voices but I told them that as governors, we sometimes impose, I am not a hypocrite.

“So I say to them, don’t let us condemn the President for picking people he feels comfortable working with.

“I don’t care who the President wants to work with but in my State, I am very interested

“So, I told the President he has to be involved in this project and I said if he allows me I’ll talk to people and get involved and I demand to get you involved too”.

“The first obstacle I have to face was that Wase is the biggest threat, so I reached out to him and took him to the President,” the governor continued.

“The President told him he has already decided on Femi and he gave his reasons.

“Wase replied though he was sure he has a big chance of winning but as his elder and President, the President’s request is done.

“I reached out to my fellow Governors and I’m talking to Bago as well and by the grace of God by 11th of June there won’t be any contest. We will do our best.

“I have also told my elected colleagues in Kaduna state that this is Buhari’s State, and we will do 100 per cent what he wants.

“We supported Femi In 2015, only one did not vote for Femi and my members suffered for their party loyalty in 2015 by not getting anything tangible in the House despite some of them being ranking members.

“I assure you that not only I and other governors will work on this project to the end.”