Femi Gbajabiamila has revealed that he is not on speaking terms with Aminu Tambuwal who backed Yakubu Dogara to emerge speaker of the green chambers.
Femi Gbajabiamila and Aminu Tambuwal
Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who is a majority leader of the Federal House of Representatives has talked about his estranged relationship with Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto State and former speaker of the lower chamber over the way Tambuwal dumped him to support the emergence of Hon. Yakubu Dogara as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Gbajabiamila expressed a feeling of betrayal and disappointment considering the strong bond that existed between him and Tambuwal before the House of Rep speakership elections.
It should be noted that Tambuwal made comments that questioned the competence of Gbajabiamila for the position of the Speaker of the House of Rep and also endorsed Yakubu Dogara which led to his emergence.
Speaking on Straight Talk with Kadaria Ahmed aired on Channels Television on Wednesday night, Gbajabiamila revealed the betrayal he felt in Tambuwal’s comments.
“It’s a comment I would rather ignore, I feel disappointed in that statement. Looking at that statement, there are many things wrong with that statement, which I don’t want to join issues with. But let me just say this since this is ‘straight talk’.
“I feel disappointed that a speaker to whom much had been given would chop down the issue of leadership and competence to the issue of procurement. That is the last thing I would expect him to say,”
“To seat here and say there is no sense of betrayal would be lying. Of course, there is a sense of betrayal, but it’s not something I dwell on. Betrayal unfortunately happens to be the order of the day in politics – particularly in Nigeria. So do I feel betrayed? Yes.
“Tambuwal was one of my closest friends when he ran for speaker; I think I single-handedly pushed his speakership bid. But again, he must have reasons why he did what he did. That must be respected; I just wished he had made that known.”
Asked if he had spoken with Tambuwal since the election, he said: “No I have not, I am not crossing paths with him, he is in Sokoto, I’m in Abuja; you might want to direct that question to him. Who do you think should be reaching out to who?
“When it was clear we were going to win, the other side walked out. Tambuwal, who is my friend, did not call once to congratulate me, he never sent a message, and I haven’t spoken to him since then.”