Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai has promised to lobby Reps-elect to cast their votes in favour of Femi Gbajabiamila in the Speakership race in the 9th House of Representatives.
El-Rufai, who revealed this as he received 121 members-elect, who were on consultation tour of Northwest yesterday at the Government House chamber in Kaduna, said Buhari even convinced Idris Wase to willingly let go of his personal speakership ambition for Mr Femi.
His words, “It’s a misconception that Gbajabiamila is Asiwaju’s project, not because it was President Buhari himself that has always observed Femi in the House.
“Even before he became President, he read newspapers and watched 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 about Gbajabiamila, 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 he gets 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 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 June 11, 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 percent 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.”
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