Gbaja: I regret supporting Tambuwal for speaker in 2011

THE CABLE

Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, says he regrets supporting the process that produced Aminu Tambuwal as speaker in 2011.

Gbajabiamila spoke on Wednesday at a meeting with reps-elect organised in Abuja.

The speaker said he supported the “house project” that “installed” Tambuwal at the time — but he now regrets his decision.

He told the members-elect not to go against the decision of the party on the zoning formula for the leadership of the house of representatives.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) had nominated Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu as the preferred candidates for the position of speaker and deputy.

Gbajabiamila said the party is supreme and the lawmakers’ loyalty to the APC should not be in doubt.

“I stand before you here as a testament to what party loyalty and consistency can do in your life. I have a story to tell and I am sure everybody has one story or the other to tell. My story may not be unique. I came here on the platform of a party,” he said.