By Gbenga Akingbule
The coast is fast becoming clear and the tide gradually settling on who emerges as the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives following the resolve of majority of new and returning members-elect to back Muktar Aliyu Betara.
Gatekeepers News reports that the lawmakers who won their elections on different political parties’ platforms said there’s no going back on their decision to elect Betara as the next Speaker of the House.
“We have gone far in our campaign and support for Hon Betara; there’s no backing down now, we’re in a clear majority,” says a member of the 9th Assembly who was re-elected to continue as member-elect of the 10th Assembly, Kabir Tukura Ibrahim, representing Fakai/Sakaba /Wasagu Danko/ Zuru Federal constituency in Kebbi State.
Betara, 57, is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who represents Biu/Kwaya Kusar, Shani and Bayo, Federal constituency in Borno State. He will be serving his 5th term in the House of Representatives by the time the 10th Assembly is convened. He was elected for the first term in 2007.
Having served as Chairman of different Committees including Army, Defence and currently Appropriation, Betara is seen by his colleagues as the most competent candidate for the coveted position of Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives.
Although there are other Members- elect vying for the seat of the Speaker of the House, but those backing Betara are of the opinion that he stands tall above other contestants and that his endorsement cut across political parties, religion; ethnic and regional affiliations.
In June, when the 10th National Assembly will be convened, Federal Lawmakers from the House of Representatives will have to choose amongst themselves who will be the next Speaker of the House through voting and a winner emerges by a simple majority as required by the Nigerian Constitution.
For the first time in the nation’s history, the current elected opposition parties members- elect put together are more than those of the ruling APC, a situation that will make the contest for who emerges the next Speaker a bit tougher, but the pro – Betara group do not consider that a threat to their resolve.
As it stands, according to inside sources, Betara who is also referred to as “The Head Boy” is currently maintaining a comfortable lead with regard to the overwhelming endorsement from both new and returning members-elect of the House.
Sources close to the legislators revealed that the APC would have to tread softly on the proposed zoning arrangement (if any) for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives lest a repeat of the situation in 2011 when members of the House of Representatives jettisoned the PDP zoning arrangement and the majority voted for the candidate of their choice.
Some anti- Betara forces within and outside the hallowed chambers are allegedly embarking on a desperate campaign to whip up divisive sentiments and trying to subtly play the zoning card by emphasising the fact that the Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima and Betara are both from the same Borno State and the North East region.
“That argument and moves by few of my colleagues are dead on arrival. Lest we forget, the APC in 2019 zoned the position of Speaker to the South West, a zone where Vice President Yemi Osinbajo hails from. It could also be recalled that in 2011, the Vice President and Speaker of the House of Representatives came from the same North West Zone.
“There’s no cause for alarm as Hon Betera is already coasting home to victory with overwhelming support from majority of members-elect. Betara is experienced, capable and above all reliable and an excellent team player,” Ahmadu Usman Jaha. APC, Member representing Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok Federal constituency from Borno State said.
Also, Dumnamene Dekor, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Khana/ Gokana Federal constituency in Rivers State says the choice for Hon. Betara to become the next Speaker of House of Representatives is a move to further ensure the distribution and execution of quality human-oriented projects in all Federal constituencies across the country.
“Hon Betara has done exceptionally well as the current Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation. He did not only ensure that development projects were spread across the country but he also pursued the release of funds to ensure the implementation of these constituency projects. We in the House are proud of him and we’re doing our best to ensure he emerges as the next Speaker,” Decor said.
Members-elect of other opposition political parties who are coming to the House of Representatives for the first term have also thrown their weight behind Hon Betara.
“With the little I have known about Hon. Betara, he’s someone that carries everyone along and he’s somebody that is disposed to proper democracy. I believe most of us the new members- elect are ready to back Hon. Betara to become the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives,” Labour party Member-elect, Ngozi Okoli representing Aniocha /Oshimili Federal constituency in Delta State.
