Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has revealed how he and former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, opposed the emergence of Mr Aminu Tambuwal as Speaker of the House of Representatives and Mr Emeka Ihedioha as Deputy Speaker in 2011.
Obasanjo made the disclosure at a leadership colloquium and 60th birthday celebration organised in honour of Tambuwal at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the former president, who later chaired the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the opposition was based on party considerations and the need to promote gender inclusion in the leadership of the National Assembly.
He explained that the thinking at the time was to encourage female representation at the highest level of the House of Representatives.
Checks showed that in the closely contested election for Speaker, Tambuwal, from the North-West, defeated his rival, Mrs Mulikat Akande-Adeola, from the South-West.
Further findings revealed that the leader of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and current President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had directed lawmakers of the party to support Tambuwal during the election.
Obasanjo said the decision of PDP lawmakers to vote against the party’s preferred candidate reflected the independence of the legislature.
According to him, the initial plan was to allow a woman, who had earlier occupied the position, to retain the seat, but the lawmakers chose a different path.
He added that despite the disagreement, the leadership decision of the House was eventually respected and supported.
Reflecting on Tambuwal’s tenure, Obasanjo described the senator representing Sokoto South as humble, warm and accommodating in leadership.
In his remarks, former President Jonathan acknowledged that relations between the executive arm and the House leadership were sometimes strained during his administration.
He said that although there were disagreements while Tambuwal served as Speaker, members of the House had strong confidence in his leadership.
Jonathan noted that Tambuwal’s ability to hold the House together was a quality he appreciated, even when both arms of government differed on issues.
Also speaking, a former Senate President, Senator David Mark, admitted that he was aware of the rebellion against the PDP’s preferred candidate for Speaker.
Mark said he chose to prioritise the independence of the National Assembly over party loyalty at the time.
He explained that lawmakers had made it clear to him that they would emerge Speaker and Deputy Speaker regardless of party position, and he supported their resolve.
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in his remarks, described Tambuwal as a leader in the making, expressing hope that he would continue to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, described Tambuwal as a leader committed to national unity and consensus-building for development.
The PDP’s preferred candidate for the Speakership in 2011, Mrs Akande-Adeola, who was present at the event, said she bore no grudge over the outcome of the election.
She said she believed that leadership outcomes were ultimately determined by God and acknowledged Tambuwal’s leadership journey.
In his response, Tambuwal expressed concern over growing public apathy towards governance, which he attributed to poor leadership practices.
He called on the political elite to reflect deeply on the increasing imposition of leaders and its impact on public trust.
The event was attended by several prominent Nigerians, including the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro.
Other dignitaries included the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah; former Speakers of the House of Representatives, Mrs Patricia Etteh and Mr Yakubu Dogara; Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe; and the Minister of Housing, Mr Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.
Also present were former governors Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, Aminu Masari and Mr Udom Emmanuel, as well as former Osun State Governor and ADC National Secretary, Mr Rauf Aregbesola.
Former Ogun State governors, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Emeka Ihedioha, were also in attendance.
