By Eseoghene Emuke
The House of Representatives member-elect for Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in Delta State, Rev. Francis Waive says Femi Gbajabiamila’s choice as speaker of the 9th National Assembly will favour Nigerians and President Muhammadu Buhar-led administration.
Waive, who is the only Reps member-elect on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Delta State, noted that Buhari needed a house leadership with Gbajabiamila as head to help champion his policies in the next four years to deliver on APC electioneering campaign promises.
In a statement issued by the cleric turned politician on Tuesday in Warri, Waive said Gbajabiamila’s speakership would help accelerate rapid development by the APC-led government through purposeful laws gear towards the common good of all Nigerians.
He stated that he had decided to pick tent with Gbajabiamila, who is the current majority leader of the House, above other contestants because the 9th National Assembly will neither be confrontational nor be a rubber-stamp to the executive.
The member-elect maintained that, “My expectations on the 9th NASS is one that combines independence with collaboration for the good of our country. I look forward to an Assembly that is passionate about service delivery to Nigerians and result-orientated. Not a confrontational Assembly neither a rubber-stamp.
“I want to proudly introduce myself anywhere as a member of the National Assembly without shame or fear. The 9th Assembly I believe will work with the Executive to bring the dividends of Democracy to our people. And a leadership that will be humane, fair, just, capable and productive.”
He noted that Gbajabiamila having served as minority leader and now majority leader with legislative experience spanning over 17 years, he should be elected as the next speaker during the proclamation of the 9th Assembly slated for June 11,2019.
Waive implored his colleagues irrespective of their political parties to vote Gbajabiamila as the next speaker of the House of Representatives for the common good of Nigerians whose interest they were elected to protect during 2019 general elections.
“Rt Hon Femi Gbajamiala is my choice for the Speakership. With over 17 years legislative experience working as minority leader and then majority leader.
” I have observed him in the last couple months and am thrilled by the way he treats fellow honourable members. He knows everyone by name and relates with each one as though you were the one and only member of the house. His sound education and solid contacts in the polity stands him out.
“Fortunately, he is the candidate of my party the APC. I think it is natural that both the majority leader and his deputy Rt Hon Wase step in as Speaker and Deputy Speaker as in other climes”, Waive further added in the statement.
