Speakership: Kano Legislators Reject Their Son, Jubrin

Muhammad Bello in Abuja

Barely twenty four hours after the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives caucus was said to have started thinking of endorsing Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Hon. Abdulmumini Jibrin as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively, some legislators from Kano State in the House have detached themselves from the latter's quest.

Jibrin, who is from Kano State, is among the seven contestants seeking to become the numero uno of the lower chamber come June.
He declared his intention to vie for the Speaker of the House last week.

THISDAY correspondent gathered from some of the lawmakers that they were not comfortable with Jibrin's ambition because it will portray the North-West zone as ungrateful, having secured the Presidency to now start jostling for the number four seat.

Instead of endorsing Jibrin, the legislators opted to await the  party's zoning formula, which is yet to be made public.

One of the legislators said: "Jibrin never consulted with any of us about his bid for Speaker or Deputy Speaker. He is on his own and he should stop because it will soon backfire.

"Even if he is negotiating for a position that is not the way to do it," the legislator who craved anonymity said.

Another legislator, who pleaded anonymity also said: "we consider his declaration as insensitive, irresponsible and provocative because we have the president from the north west.

"It means that nobody from the North West, either in the Senate or the House, can contest for a presiding position as doing that will send the wrong signal to other parts of the country.

"The North West is not Nigeria, and General Buhari will never have won the election without the support of other regions of the country.

"The whole nation rallied behind Buhari so why should we be insensitive to this? Why should anyone of us from the North West insult the sensibilities of other people?

This election has united Nigerians and we should not allow individual ambitions to take us back."