Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Abdulrazak Namdas has declared his intention to contest for the position of Speaker of the 9th Assembly.
Namdas who was re elected for a second term to represent Jedda/Genye Federal Constituency of Adamawa State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, gave his vision statement to include operating an open door policy and as well ensure harmonious working relationship between the legislature and the National Assembly.
Speaking at his brief declaration ceremony, Namdas declared that he was an independent candidate who was neither anointed or being sponsored by any political group or any godfather but a candidate of all Nigerians.
He said: “I am not contesting because I have been anointed or endorsed by any entrenched interest; but because I am the candidate of the Nigerian people. This ambition is not self-serving; it is in national interest. It is for the Nigerian project.
“Apart from competence, experience, untainted personal record and excellent leadership traits, what will I be offering to you in terms of policy thrust? We are presenting a New Legislative Charter, which is our contract with the Nigerian people; this is a contract that will be driven by good laws and ethical legislative practices. We are desirous to enter into a contract with the Nigerian people for the good of the nation”.
Read full declaration speech bellow:
A SPEECH PRESENTED BY CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON MEDIA AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, HON. ABDULRAZAQ SA’AD NAMDAS, TO DECLARE HIS INTENTION TO CONTEST FOR THE POSITION OF SPEAKER OF THE NINTH HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 26TH MARCH, 2019.
PROTOCOLS
On the 9th of March, 2019, the will of God and the wishes of the majority of my constituents prevailed as I was re-elected to the House of Representatives to represent Jada/Ganye/Mayo-Belwa/Toungo Federal Constituency of Adamawa State. This is a confirmation of the trust and confidence my people reposed in me; and the tacit approval of my stewardship as a legislator in the outgoing 8th National Assembly.
I am eternally grateful to God and my constituents for the opportunity given me once more to be their eyes and ears in the Parliament for another term.
I stand before you today to reaffirm my faith in the Nigerian project and to reiterate my total belief in genuine democracy as the viable vehicle for the development of our people and the nation. I congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari on his well-deserved re-election; I congratulate our great party, the APC, for her resounding victory at different levels; and I congratulate all parties that sponsored candidates in the general elections.
Permit me to use this opportunity to specially celebrate all returning Honourable Members of this Hallowed Chamber of the House of Representatives on the renewal of their mandates by their respective constituents. It was an arduous task. I welcome the new Honourable Members-elect, and enjoin them to put nation first as we travel together in the quest to advancing the cause of our people. I also salute the resilience and efforts of those who lost at the polls.
I see the mandate given us as a challenge to re-double our efforts in the task of nation building. To me, this mandate is an opportunity to give back to the people; to reciprocate their kind gesture by working with renewed vigour and commitment to move Nigeria to the next level. Hence, I am more than prepared to deliver on my mandate.
Ladies and gentlemen, we believe that as our democracy grows, it requires competent and committed individuals with requisite experience and pedigree to build and strengthen our institutions. One of such institutions is the Parliament, and in particular, the House of Representatives, which is the House of the Nigerian people. We know that the task ahead is enormous but surmountable. I therefore, stand before you today to make a solemn declaration to seek the office of Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives.
I am offering myself for the position of Speaker because the 9th Assembly deserves the best of leadership. I am convinced and I believe you are aware that I possess the necessary legislative and personal credentials to effectively lead the House to enviable heights. As spokesperson for the House, I represented and defended the legislature effectively for four years; hence I am better positioned to preside and speak for the House as Speaker.
I am not contesting because I have been anointed or endorsed by any entrenched interest; but because I am the candidate of the Nigerian people. This ambition is not self-serving; it is in national interest. It is for the Nigerian project.
Apart from competence, experience, untainted personal record and excellent leadership traits, what will I be offering to you in terms of policy thrust? We are presenting a New Legislative Charter, which is our contract with the Nigerian people; this is a contract that will be driven by good laws and ethical legislative practices. We are desirous to enter into a contract with the Nigerian people for the good of the nation.
We are not oblivious of the bad blood and emotions generated among the citizenry in the course of the general elections; we will therefore work urgently and genuinely to mend fences and build bridges across the nation.
Our leadership will seek for laws that guarantee security of lives and property, promote unity, encourage ethnic and religious tolerance, instil discipline and restore patriotism in our citizenry; we will insist on the strict application of the rule of law and engender equity, fairness and justice in the Nigerian state.
Our administration will pursue a mutual relationship between the legislature and the executive/judiciary, which will be anchored on respect for the principle of separation of powers, in order to strengthen our democracy. We will never compromise the independence of the legislature on the altar of party, political affiliation or personal interest.
We will work to create an enabling environment for investment to boost the economy, create jobs and improve the standard of living of our people.
We will seek further electoral reforms to enable Nigeria attain global best practices in her election processes.
We will operate an open-door policy, where every lawmaker will be accorded equal rights and opportunities; and our watchword will be transparency and accountability. We will also stand for responsive and responsible governance.
We will seek to consolidate on the gains of the Legislative Agenda of the 8th House.
Ladies and gentlemen, details of the New Legislative Charter, my vision and mission for this exalted position will be unveiled at a date to be announced.
Therefore, even as we await the formal proclamation of the 9th Assembly in June, I appeal to all Honourable Members-elect to invest in me for good result. I call on my colleagues in the forthcoming Assembly to team up with me and choose a Speaker they can be proud of; a Speaker that will not betray their trust; a Speaker that can unite the House; a Speaker who knows his onions; a Speaker for all and not for the few; and a Speaker that Nigeria needs now.
Long live the Nigerian people! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria! Long live the House of Representatives!
Hon. Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas
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