Tambuwal: Decisive move by populist Speaker In 54 years, Nigeria has produced 11 Speakers of the House of Representatives. But, no head of the Lower Legislative Chamber has ever filled the public consciousness like Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. In varying degrees, his predecessors-the late Hon. Jaja Wachukwu (1959-1960), Alhaji Jalo Waziri (1960-1966), the late Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke (1979-1983), Chaha Biam (1983), Chief Anakwe (1991-1993, Alhaji Salisu Buhari (1999-2000), , Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba (2000-2003), Alhaji Bello Masari (2003-2007), Mrs. Patricia Etteh (2007) and Hon. Dimeji Bankole (2007-2011)-were colourful. But, Tambuwal, the 48 years old lawyer from Sokoto State, has made a bigger difference as the ‘people’s Speaker’ and venerable opposition leader in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Many Nigerians believe that Tambuwal is mature, balanced, emotionally intelligent and cosmopolitan. He is endowed with uncanny political and social skills, which are required for contact, productive interaction and meaningful relationship. His colleagues see him as a bridge builder, team player, and remarkably talented. But, his greatest asset is his national outlook. Yesterday was a turning point in his political career. In a tactful manner, the Speaker dumped the ruling party for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and escaped parliamentary vituperation by die-hard PDP legislators. As a parliamentary risk manager that he is, Tambuwal chose a good time to unfold his defection plan. The timing of the historic announcement underscored Tambuwal’s capacity to spring surprise and ruffle feathers without earning an instant reprimand. Following the adjournment of the House’s next sitting till December, the Speaker called it quits with the conservative party, earning an applause from legislators, who rekindled trust and confidence in his leadership. When the House reconvenes in December, campaigns for next year’s elections would have kicked off across the federation. The legislators would be busy in their respective constituencies than the National Assembly, which would have become a lame duck chamber. Most of them will be mobilising for their governorship, senatorial and representatives’ race. Tambuwal offered a rational explanation for leaving the PDP. He said he was sensitive to the wind of change in his state. Following Governor Aliyu Wamakko’s defection, the PDP has been in distress. His people have beckoned on him to serve them in the next dispensation either as a senator or governor. Since he is a people’s politician, patriot and community man, he could not jettison the call to service. APC chieftain Senator Biyi Durojaye hailed his decision to bid farewell to the PDP, saying that it is in the national interest. He urged other federal legislators who love Nigeria to follow suit. “It is a welcome development. More people should defect to the APC because of its vision for Nigeria. We need to build a new Nigeria and more compatriots should heed the call for rebuilding the country. “I hope many lawmakers will still join the APC to give a purposeful leadership to the country, to end the ills of the country; the problems of insecurity, unemployment, incessant power failure, bad roads, fallen standard of education, awkward structure that is more unitary than federal, and to substantially reduce corruption,” he added. House of Representatives member from Ikorodu Constituency, Lagos Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa said that Tambuwal has the right of defection under the constitution. She said anybody contemplating the impeachment of the Speaker is day-dreaming, stressing that he enjoys the trust of the House. “Anybody talking about impeachment should forget it. You need two-third majority to impeach him. The majority elected him as the Speaker and the majority will keep him as the Speaker. The minority cannot impeach him,” Hon. Dabiri-Erewa added. For a university don, Boniface Ayodele, the politics of defection is in order. He said the PDP is the loser. He observed that the Speaker has been loyal to the APC because the leaders of the party supported his bid for the speakership three and half years ago. Ayodele, who teaches political science at the Ekiti State University, added: “If the number four citizen could dump the PDP, it is terrible for the image of the ruling party. These events will shape next year’s general elections.” However, the university teacher said the PDP will fight back, advising the Speaker to gird his loins. Journey to Speakership Since 2007, the politician from the Caliphate has been a committed PDP chieftain. On its platform, he was elected as a lawmaker and the Deputy Chief Whip. But, he literarily parted ways with the PDP leadership in 2011, when he vied for the speakership. The party had zoned the slot to the Southwest. Its anointed candidate was Hon. Mulikat Adeola Akande, who later became the Senate Leader. But, Tambuwal and other legislators disagreed. Their argument was that the number four citizen cannot be a ‘zonal speaker,’ but the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic and consequently, a symbol of national unity. It was an open contest. Tambuwal’s arsenal was his incisive wit. As a lawyer and politician, he has not limited his activities to his native Kebbe-Tambuwal Constituency, Sokoto. He appreciated the value of extending tentacles of influence and frontiers of cooperation across the six geo-political zones. Tambuwal advertised himself as a viable candidate to PDP, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) legislators. At the end of the election, he polled 252 votes, defeating Adeola-Akande, who scored 90 votes. Apart from approaching opposition legislators for help, his manifesto impressed them. In his letter to the legislators titled: ‘Renewal Imperatives’, Tambuwal unfolded his vision, urging his colleagues to allow him to lead the House. He highlighted the challenges, which should be tackled by prompt legislative action. These include poor economy, escalating federal deficit and worsening fiscal problems. “The search for a new conversation in our congress is a walk with you. It is my desire to lead by action and positive examples,” he said. Tambuwal proposed four principles as guide to legislative action in the House’s quest for rapid economic growth and development. These are the effective resource allocation and cost-effectiveness of resource utilisation, the liberalisation of the economic space to encourage private sector participation, enthronement of transparency and maximisation of economic benefits for the citizens. Reflecting on budget failure, he said: “Our national budget should be predicated on a pre-determined and certain timetable”. To make the country attractive to investors, Tambuwal said four bills should be passed. They are the Fiscal Responsibility Bill, the Freedom of Information Bill, the Petroleum Industry Bill, the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, the Amended Land Use Bill and the national Health Bill. “Our collective task is to employ the instrumentality of legislation to revamp the economy. I offer to lead the efforts by positive actions and right examples,” he added. Tambuwal also said a parliamentary dispensation is only meaningful if the public expectation about dividends of democracy are met. He listed 10 areas the House should focus on, to justify its essence in democracy. The Speaker said a caring parliament should assist the executive with legislations in providing affordable health care system, housing and transportation system; security of life and property, creation of employment opportunities, education assistance programmes, child care programmes and functional retirement schemes. Urging his colleagues to make him the Speaker, he said he would lead them to fulfill these promises to Nigeria. “With your active support and participation, these goals are possible and realisable. I put myself forward to lead the efforts. I ask for your support and prayers,” he added. When he assumed the reins, it was clear that Tambuwal was prepared for the job. He united the House after the tempestuous in-house leadership elections. His leadership is effective. Under him, the House refused to dance to the antics of the ruling party. Thus, the House’s intervention in national issues have been guided by patriotism. These are evident in the House’s probe of the fuel subsidy scam, scrutiny of government activities and insistence on probity and transparency. Tambuwal also avoided scandals. Leading by example, he has shunned opulence and graft. For him, the corridor of power should not be an avenue for primitive accumulation. The number four citizen has also endowed his position with visibility and honour. Under him, the House has been united and stable. The legislators perceived him as a Nigerian who has a national outlook. His colleagues believe that partisan consideration has not guided his leadership focus. Difficult relationship with PDP But, the relationship between the Speaker and the PDP leadership has not been cordial. The reason is that the Speaker has often enlisted on the side of the people. Knowing that the House has tap roots across 360 constituencies, he opted for the people, instead of dancing to the tune of the government. When it was evident that the Federal Government was drifting, he spoke as a statesman and patriot. Tambuwal warned against the danger of an ailing economy that cannot guarantee jobs for youths. He also complained about soaring corruption in high places. He said the administration was not fighting corruption. The Speaker faces a future pregnant with possibilities. When the House resumes sitting next month, his defection will be on the front burner. PDP leaders will incite his loyal colleagues against him. His popularity will be tested again on the floor. Will he survive, if the impeachment axe dangles? Tambuwal is popular at home. He has some options to explore. Many are rooting for him as the governorship candidate of the APC in Sokoto. If he emerges, the possibility exists that he will be elected in next year’s election. A party source said some APC leaders are even urging him to join the presidential race. In a couple of days, he will make a categorical statement on his next political move. Where he is coming from Born on January 10, 1966, Tambuwal attended Tambuwal Primary School, Tambuwal, and Government Teachers College, Dogon-Daji before proceeding to Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto to study Law. In 1992, he was called to the Bar after completing his one year law programme at the Nigeria Law school, Lagos. The Speaker also attended short training programmes in Kennedy School of Government, Harvard, and Tulane University, United States Before he was elected as a federal legislator, he was active in the bar politics. He is a member of the Body of Benchers. Before he serves as the Deputy Chief Whip of the House, he was the Minority Leader.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 12:16:53 +0000
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