Gbajabiamila accused of N3.5 million vote buying for House Speakership
On the allegation of vote buying by Gbajabiamila PDP has accused the APC says they would not have their way in.
A faction of All Progressive Congress (APC) has been accused of inducing members of the Lower legislative Chamber with N3,550,000 ($10,000) as the Federal lawmakers are expected to elect the Speaker of the House of Representatives expected to kick start a few minutes from this publication (June 11, 2019).
It was also alleged that an unnamed card was given to some members of the house aimed at luring the cast their votes for the APC’s preferred candidate.
In a swift reaction to the allegation, a member of APC Hon. Abdulrazak Saad Namdas said it was a false alarm being raised by the opposition.
Speaking on Channels’ Sunrise Daily, Namdas who seemed to twist the question said there was nothing bad if members carry the card of the members they’re supporting.
On the allegation of vote buying by Gbajabiamila, the Adamawa-born politician who accused the opposition of being behind the rumour said they (PDP) would not have their way.
The faction is allegedly working for Femi Gbajabiamila, a former House Leader of the House who had toured all six geopolitical zones canvassing for support.
He’s seen as one of the political godsons of a South West political heavyweight Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Gbajabiamila who represents Surulere I Federal Constituency is one of the leading contenders for the position of the Speaker.
He was endorsed by APC and President Muhammadu Buhari had also reportedly endorsed him over other candidates.
Other candidates for the position who are members of APC are Umar Bago, John Dyegh, Segun Odebunmi, Emeka Nwajiuba and Olajide Olatubosun.
It was gathered that the position of Speaker was zoned to the South West by APC, but that hasn’t stopped other members from coming out to try their luck.
President Buhari is from the North West, the preferred Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan is from the North East.
It is also dramatic that North Central zone is making a strong case for the position. Bago and Dyegh are from the North Central. But Bago towers above him. Bago had said the endorsement of Gbajabiamila only reflects the opinion of the APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.
At the time of compiling this report, security has been beefed up in and around the National Assembly complex.
Reports from the complex said all the entry points into the legislative chamber are being manned by operatives of the Department of State Security, DSS, police and other agencies.
A mild drama is expected.