10th NASS: Stop referring Abbas as speaker – Adamu caution members

As the race for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly gathers momentum, the national chairman of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),Abdullahi Adamu, has warned members to stop referring Tajudeen Abbas as speaker until the day of proclamation

The national chairman said this while hosting the Joint Task Group of incoming 10th National Assembly, at the APC National Secretariat on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Joint Task Group has since backed the nomination of Abbas and Kalu by the APC as preferred candidate.

Adamu said: “I want to make one correction so that we will not be misrepresented. A quite number of you have referred to Hon. Abbas as the speaker. Please, please he is one of the aspirants. He will become a speaker on the day of proclamation.

“The laws guiding that office are very clear, he will earned that on the day of proclamation by the president and commander in chief of the 10th National Assembly. The Clerk to the National Assembly will conduct election there is no option than the election.

“When he comes out of that election and they raised his hand and when he is sworn in by the speaker, that nomenclature becomes most appropriate. Wait. Continue doing your good work.

“After reporting to the National Working Committee the discussions we had with the President-elect and leaders like the Vice President-elect, the Senate President, the speaker; my humble self, my deputy north, deputy south and the National Secretary of the party.

“I reported our deliberations. It was clear in our declaration that there is need for further and better consultations so that we can take as much as we can to message political egos, so that we end up with what we want with National Assembly leadership in both Chambers.

“We have received all the other aspirants for the president of the Senate and the speakership of the House of Representatives. I on behalf of my colleagues wish you the best of luck.”

Speaking earlier, Abbas pleaded with the National chairman to use the position God has given him to do whatever he can so as to call all his co-contestants to the table.

He thanked the NWC for playing a vital role in his emergence as the anointed candidate of the party for the June 13th national assembly election.

Abbas promised to do everything humanly possible to protect the interest of the party, to protect the interest of the government and to protect the interest of the Nigerian populace.

He said, “I want to use this opportunity Mr. Chairman to use it to complete one item in your resume, you have conquered parliamentary, several times; you were a party man several times; you were in the executive several times; you have delivered the president-elect of our party this time around

“What is only outstanding to complete you resume to deliver the leadership of the National Assembly July 13.

“I want to urge you Mr. Chairman and members of the NWC that if tomorrow you have done one leg of your job,that is the endorsement of the people that will represent the party in the next dispensation.

“The next is to come all out, to support, to encourage, to convince every member who has a vote to come and vote for you candidate come June 13.