During the formal declaration in Abuja, the member representing Doguwa /Tudun Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State said he has paid his dues like the outgoing occupant, Femi Gbajabiamila, to be entrusted with the task of overseeing proceedings of the lower legislative chamber.
He pledged cohesion and harmonious working relationships among the three arms of government if elected into office.
Doguwa promised to ensure implementation of the Renewed Hope 2023 action plan for a better Nigeria of the President-elect, Ahmed Tinubu.
The Kano lawmaker also vowed to lead a House that would promote good governance, transparency and accountability in legislative processes, besides ensuring that every Nigerian, irrespective of social class, creed or background, has a voice and is well represented.
Calling on leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to cede the speakership to Kano based on its contribution to the party’s electoral feats since the 2015 elections, Doguwa faulted the notion that he lacked the temperament to preside over affairs of the Green Chamber.
He argued that having served in various capacities locally and internationally, including being Chief Whip and Majority Leader, spoke volumes of his leadership qualities.
Doguwa said: “I plead with my colleagues from the zone to extend to me as a privilege not by right the same Gbajabiamila treatment because as the saying goes, ‘what is good for the goose is also good for the gander’.
“I have paid my dues. It is time to reward my stewardship to both the parliament and the nation. Kindly permit me to take you a little down memory lane. In 2011 to 2015, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had majority in the House and controlled the leadership in that dispensation, while Femi Gbajabiamila was nominated by the Southwest Caucus as their Minority Leader.
“From 2015 to 2019 when our party, APC, had majority in the House, it was only natural that the Minority Leader transits to Majority Leader position. If you will recall then, the moment this convention was proposed, I personally agreed to step down from the Majority Leader position, which I was earlier tipped for and settled for the Chief Whip position to give room for Gbajiabiamila to assume the position of Majority Leader.”
