National Assembly leadership: APC urged to stop Gbajabiamila from speakership race

TRACKING>>The All Progressives Congress (APC) have been asked to prevail on the leader of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila to step out of the contest for speakership of the 9th House of Representatives.

In a fresh petition sent to Adams Oshiomhole, the APC national chairman, Basah Mohammed, the editor of Corruption Reporter Communications Limited said Gbajabiamila to be stopped on account of alleged misdeeds in the United States.

Mohammed said the outgoing House leader lacks the reputation to hold the office of the number four person in the country.

The petition follows a court action initiated by a taxpayer, Philip Undie to stop Gbajabiamila from the contest on the basis of some of the allegations leveled in the petition to Oshiomhole.

In the letter to Oshiomhole dated May 23, Mohammed accused the outgoing House leader of double identity and multiple fraud allegations in the United States.

The petition also alleged that Gbajabiamila had been disbarred in Georgia, United States of America.

The letter to Oshiomhole which was copied to several security agencies read in part: “We are a registered media organization committed to good governance and accountability in public office through factual reportage.”

Mohammed said the seriousness and commitment of the APC to maintain and reposition Nigeria’s ebbing international trust and respect will be appraised from the perspective of the choice of persons for political positions both elective and appointive.

He said the position of number four person in the country is a very crucial one; a collegiate leader in the Nigerian National Assembly and any occupier must be above board in integrity and reputation for the country to be taken seriously in the comity of nations.

“It is therefore incumbent upon you (Oshiomhole) as the leader of the party to ensure that due diligence is carried out on anyone aspiring to hold this very important position which will be critical to the success of your party’s government and the overall sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.

“We wish to note that once again our national image and reputation may be hanging precariously on a very tiny string of morality tenterhooks in the international image.

“We most respectfully provide for your consideration and deep reflection the following about one of the aspirants.

“That one Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila or Femi Gbaja has a record of Social Security Number Fraud in the United States of America (Please find full details in the attached annexure 1).

“That one Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila or Femi Gbaja has records of duplicity of date of birth in the United States of America (Please find full details in the attached Annexure 2),” Mohammed said in the petition.

Mohammed said he resolved to bring these issues to the party’s leadership first and foremost since it seems there is a conspiratorial silence from those who should check the imbalance.

Meanwhile, Tracknews.ng previously reported that a lawmaker, Raphael Igbokwe, has applied to the Federal High Court Abuja to be joined in a suit challenging the leader of the House leader’s ambition to become the Speaker of the 9th Assembly of the House of Representatives.

Igbokwe who represents Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte constituency and is also the leader of the south east caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his application said going against the party’s decision of choice for Gbajabiamila to become speaker would be tantamount to disrespect of party’s choice.

Stating that he swore to an oath to defend the law and the constitution, Igbokwe said the ruling party had already made its choice for the speakership position clear.