Presidency, PDP soft-pedal on Bankole’s successor

Intense lobbying, horse-trading and subtle di-plomacy have pervaded the seat of power, Abuja, over the choice of the next leadership of the House of Representatives as the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Presidency, on Monday, appear to have shifted ground on the contentious issue of who emerges as the next speaker of the House of Representatives.

In principle, both structures have decided to allow members of the lower chamber to determine their leadership, just as the House may have the endorsement of the leaders of the ruling party to adopt any voting pattern in deciding its leadership provided such was “democratic and transparent’.

This development, coming seven days to the inauguration of the seventh National Assembly and two days after the swearing-in of President Goodluck Jonathan for a fresh four-year tenure appears to have a caveat as members of the ruling party are to toe the line of the party as regards the zoning arrangement which concedes the speakership of the lower house to the South-West.

Nigerian Tribune learnt from an impeccable presidency source that President Goodluck Jonathan is not particularly pleased with the public debate that had characterised the choice of Honourable Dimeji Bankole’s successor.

“This issue (speakership) is not a thing which requires the debate it has attracted, honestly. Mr President is not particularly too happy about it because as a man who preached and practically practised fairness in the choice of leaders, the debate about a particular voting pattern or who should be or should not be speaker is capable of putting him in bad light as a man who wants to pocket the lower chamber.

“Frankly speaking, he does not need to impose anybody on the lower chamber and he even does not want to dictate a particular voting procedure for them; for God’s sake, they are adults and leaders in their own rights who have set rules and regulations.

“What is most important is that the choice of the next leadership of the House, particularly the Speaker has to be democratic and transparently done, that is all. I think he has equally counseled the party leadership to mellow down a bit on the issue of voting pattern and particular candidate for the office of Speaker.

“The only thing that is a bit worrisome to all, including the president is the emergence of an aspirant from the north, which of course, is an aspiration that is capable of altering the arrangement already put in place by the party leadership as far as national offices are concerned.”

According to the source, the presidency and the leadership of the PDP are already intensifying pressure on Honourable Aminu Tambunwal (PDP, Sokoto) and deputy Chief Whip of the House, to withdraw from the speakership race.

Tambunwal could not be reached on phone, but an aide who simply identified himself as Kabir, said his boss was in a meeting, adding that people were free to discuss with him (Tambunwal)

A member of the lower House from the South-South also confirmed the pressure being mounted on Tambunwal.

Apart from Tambunwal, all other contestants are from the South-West zone of the country. They include: Honourables Kareem Abisodun, Mulikat Akande Adeola and Muraina Ajibola.