09 March, 2013

HOW I MANAGED A DIVERSE HOUSE – NA’ABBA


Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Naábba has said that the emir of Kano in the 60s, Alhaji Muhmmadu Sanusi had lobbied for a Christian minority to become the deputy leader of Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) when it was clear that Sir Ahmadu Bello was going to be elected the party’s leader.
Naábba, who made this known in his contribution at the Town Hall lecture that was organised by CITAR NGO at Arewa House, Kaduna, narrated how the north managed its diversity in the second republic.
He also said the then Madakin Kano, wanted to become the governor of the north but Sir Kashim Ibrahim from Borno protested.

Na’Abba said that Sir Kashim pointed out that Sardauna, who was the leader of the party was Fulani, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was also Fulani and before he finished his narration, Madakin Kano withdrew his candidature.
Na’Abba said he borrowed a leaf from these past leaders in managing the diversity of the House of Representatives when he was Speaker, adding that about 15 legislators of different ethno-religious backgrounds helped him in running the House.
He further said that up till now, the House which he led is a yard stick for measuring other legislative Houses, saying that no lower chamber of the National Assembly was as cohesive as the one he led.
Naábba revealed that Governor Gabriel Suswam was among his kitchen cabinet and was very effective as chairman of the House Services Committee.
Source: Blueprint

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