Abdulraheem Declares Interest To Become Nigeria’s House Of Reps Speaker
By Gloria Essien, Abuja
Honourable Olawuyi Abdulraheem, a third term member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, representing Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero constituency in Kwara State and a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC has joined the Speakership race of the House of Representatives.
He declared his intentions at a gathering in Abuja.
” I stand before you today to officially declare my candidacy for the office of the Speaker of th. House of Representatives in the 10th Assembly,” Olawuyi said.
In a speech tittled “HOPE ALIVE”, the member said, “Nigeria was facing unprecedented challenges ranging from security to the economic downturn which has been unprecedented in history, and it is crystal clear that Nigerians are in need of courageous and competent leaders at all levels that will take over from the outgoing leaders.
He said that things would change positively for the generality of Nigerians who have through the ballot overwhelmingly given their support to the APC to continue to manage the Affairs of the country for the next 4 years .
“The challenges of leadership are no doubt daunting and the expectations of Nigerians are nonetheless very high, this new administration will be committed to fix the identified challenges and provide the needed political, economic, social direction that would inspire a “Renewed Hope” for our country and its people.
“Today, God in his infinite mercy has graciously put us in a partnership position, as Legislators, with the Executive and the Judiciary, to keep this Hope Alive for our dear countrymen and women, irrespective of tribal or religious differences, age, sex, political affiliations or any other parochial sentiments. With the elections concluded, the time of partisanship is over, and now is the time for partnership and nation building,” he said.
He also noted that the Hope Alive objective of the 10th Assembly is for a Better Nigeria with the Renewed Hope of shared prosperity for all Nigerians and by all Nigerians in our collective desire for security, unity and development of our nation and its teeming population.
” I believe that as members of the legislative arm of government, we have a cardinal responsibility to achieve these goals collectively. That is why today I am stepping up to seek nomination and Election to the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th Assembly. I have the passion vision, experience, capacity, competence, courage, humility, patriotism the requisite knowledge and capacity to provide the required and equitable leadership, that ensures inclusive participation of all members to pilot the affairs of the House and the country in the right direction, in line with our constitutional mandate and collective aspirations of the people we represent,” he noted.
He said that as a team player, he would work well with individuals from diverse backgrounds and callings, and promises to be firm and fair to all at all times.
“I am not afraid to take a stand for what is right, even in the face of adversity for the good of our country. For the few years in I have been at the National Assembly, I have had the privilege of working with my colleagues to deliberate on matters of national interest and also sponsored Bills aimed at solving the many social problems in our country. We have made intentional changes and decisions to facilitate the realization of an egalitarian society,” he said.
The lawmaker also said that as “Chairman of the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, I can attest to the enormous effort and outcome in our country’s quest to addressing the challenges of the poor and vulnerable people in our country”.
He stressed that his aspiration was built on principles that are essential to guiding the House of Representatives through these challenging times.
“Promoting transparency and accountability in the operations of the House of Representatives. Our citizens have a right to know what is happening in their government, and we will be transparent and accountable to the people to ensure that we can honestly win their trust, Prioritizing Bills that are aimed at improving the lives of our constituents – such as affordable healthcare, security, education and job creation etc.
“Fostering a spirit of bi-partisanship and cooperation in the House. Only by working together, can we successfully tackle the issues that confront our nation. And we are well prepared to use the mandate of Nigerians to make laws that will ensure good governance for Nigeria,” he explained.
Olawuyi assured Nigerians that if elected, he would work with other lawmakers as equals to pass pro-people Bills and to promote policies that would benefit all Nigerians from various backgrounds, as well as work with all parties and stakeholders to unify the country.
Confidence Okwuchi