Alhassan Doguwa, who holds the position of majority leader in the House of Representatives, has made the decision to withdraw from the race for the speakership.
News About Nigeria reports that during a meeting with newly elected representatives at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Wednesday night, Doguwa publicly announced his withdrawal from the race.
Two other candidates, Abubakar Maki and Olatunji Olawuyi, have also chosen to withdraw.
The meeting was attended by Femi Gbajabiamila, who currently holds the position of speaker in the house, along with Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu.
It was during this gathering that Doguwa explained the reason behind his decision to abandon his ambition for the speakership.
According to Doguwa, he made the decision on the very day that the All Progressives Congress (APC) officially nominated Abbas and Kalu for the positions of speaker and deputy speaker, respectively, in the upcoming House of Representatives.
Doguwa expressed his belief that Abbas possesses the necessary qualifications and legislative experience to effectively lead the 359 members of the house.
He further elaborated that his withdrawal from the race was a demonstration of his support for the party’s chosen candidates, considering that he himself has benefited from the party’s zoning arrangement.
Doguwa emphasized the intentionality behind his presence at the meeting, asserting that it was not a mere coincidence.
He wanted to dispel any notion that his appearance was arbitrary or insignificant, stressing that it was indeed a reality.
The fact that Doguwa appeared at the meeting and subsequently withdrew from the speakership race caught many by surprise.
This unexpected turn of events is particularly noteworthy because Doguwa had previously expressed opposition to the APC’s nomination of Abbas and Kalu.
