I will emerge Speaker on June 13 – Abbas

Tajudeen Abbas, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the position of Speaker for the 10th House of Representatives, has expressed his optimism that he will clinch the position with Benjamin Kalu as his deputy on June 13.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, met with both Abbas and Kalu behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

This meeting comes before the inauguration of the 10th leadership of the National Assembly, which is scheduled to take place on June 13, 2023.

Abbas explained that they visited the Presidential Villa to congratulate Tinubu on his election victory and inauguration on May 29. He also denied the notion that the 10th assembly would be a rubber stamp, insisting that the 360 members could not be manipulated to act against the national interest. He further stated that the autonomy of the legislature would not be compromised under their leadership.

He said, “My name is Hon. Tajjudeen Abbas from the National Assembly. And with me is my colleague, who, by the grace of God, come June 13, 2023, would be the next speaker insha Allah and Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Reps of the National Assembly.

“You may recall that just two or three days ago, Mr. President, the reign of power was handed over to him on May 29. And since then, we did not have any formal interactions.

”We felt that it is expedient as the candidates of the party for the number four and number six positions, there is a need for us to formally congratulate him on behalf of all members-elect of the 10th assembly.

“But that’s just the reason why we’re here to basically congratulate Mr. President over his election and his inauguration as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”