The members-elect of the 8th House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), today, elected Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila from Lagos as the next Speaker. In a shadow election that was conducted by APC for its members of the House. Gbajabiamila polled 154 out of the 161 members-elect that voted while eight votes were invalid.
It was gathered that 183 members-elect were in attendance. It was also learnt that Gbajabiamila’s major rival, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, walked out of the venue of the shadow election when it was clear that he did not have the number.
Dogara, a returning lawmaker from Gombe, left the venue with 18 members-elect.
Hon. Monguno from Borno State was elected as Deputy Speaker.
It was learnt that the leadership of the APC is set to conduct the primaries for the Senate Presidency even as the Bukola Saraki’s camp called for a shift of the primaries to Monday.
However, the party leadership is said to be insisting on holding the election today, Saturday.
Saraki is contesting against Senator Ahmed Lawan for the Senate Presidency.
Both Saraki and Lawan have been claiming that they are enjoying majority support from the 59 APC senators. [myad]