I Regret Tambuwal’s Emergence As Speaker – Jonathan

Less than three month before the 2015
general elections, President Goodluck
Jonathan has revealed that one of his
regrets is the emergence of Alhaji Aminu
Tamuwal as speaker of the House of
Representatives in 2011.
The incumbent President made the statement on
Friday in Ile-Ife, while addressing a day summit,
organised by the Yoruba Concerned Leaders with
the theme: "Nigeria Development: Whither the
Yoruba" extolled the virtues of Yoruba people.
It would be recalled that Tambuwal emerged as the
Speaker of the House of Representatives at the
expense of Mulikat Akande-Adeola, the Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP's preferred candidate for the
position.
President Goodluck Jonathan.
Jonathan stated that the inability of Akande-Adeola
to emerge Speaker was caused by some people from
the south west region who "thought otherwise".
In his own words: "One of the problems I face is the
National Assembly. Our party has arrangement that
when a president and vice president emerge from
different regions, other offices – the Senate
President, Secretary to the Government of the
Federation, the party chairman and Speaker of
House of Representatives must come from different
geo-political zones.
"The idea is that when we are to decide, people in
these positions meet with us to decide on crucial
things. In that case we want every geo-politically
zones to be represented in that inner caucus of our
party.
"Last time, it was difficult for me because I insisted
that South West must get Speaker but some of us
within South West didn't want that because of
personal ambition and I am still suffering for that till
today.
"That is why I am telling our leaders here that this
time around we must work together and ensure that
whatever position that is zoned to South West, we
must get and no one should rob us of it."
Speaking further at the event that was held at the
Oduduwa Hall in Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU,
Ile-Ife, Jonathan stated that his administration had
been fair to the people of South West .
President Jonathan at OAU.
He added that his administration recognises the
strategic position the South West occupies as
regards the economy of the country.
It would be recalled that students of OAU have
reportedly staged a peaceful protest against the
visit of President Jonathan.
According to reports, placard-wielding students of
the OAU who had booed and stoned President
Jonathan while entering the presidential chopper
few minutes after the conference.
The students were reported to be furious that all
activities at their school have been delayed due to
President Jonathan's visit.
They also stated that they were protesting the anti-
achievements of the educational system under the
GEJ government.

Posted By David Aniemeka