10th National Assembly Speakership: Why Betara Stands Tall Above Others
By Abba Bukar Abba Masta
The race for who becomes the next Speaker of the 10th National Assembly’s House of Representatives has become very exciting with the reported endorsement of some members by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the subsequent protests it has generated especially from other aspirants for the position. Opposition parties’ legislators as well as a majority of members of APC see Hon. Mukhtar Aliyu Betara as a better candidate for the position, hence their protest.
The quest to allow the house choose its presiding officers independently has also been boosted by various organisations from women to youths to even elders from all over the geo-political zones who wish that the country is not given the pains of having a rancorous election of presiding officers that will be viewed as being against the incoming executive.
For the records, it is pertinent that we understand that Hon. Betara as well as the other candidates protesting the alleged imposition of persons by the party are not against the party. Rather, considering the very fiery struggle that transpired during the last general elections, they are determined to ensure that Nigerians do not view the incoming leadership of the House as an imposed or a rubber-stamping House but rather as an independent House that will reflect on the expectations of a better legislative body in the next four years.
Considering the candidacy of Hon. Betara, who happens to chair the House Committee on Appropriations, who as I write has become the bride of majority of members, I will wish to state that if elections into all the positions are held today or any day, he stands the best chance of winning. His chance of winning is not predicated on any factor other than his performance as a member of the House as well as a true representative of the people of his constituency.
A peep into some of his achievements as a member is intimidating and little wonder his people have always been reelecting him to represent them. A reel of some of his achievements include the following.
1. Decades long multi-billion naira Biu Dam project is about to be completed because of his intervention
2. Multi-billion Naira international cancer centre at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
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3. Infrastructural revolution such as roads, bridges, rural electrification, street lights, water projects, construction of markets etc across many parts of Borno state.
4. Educational development by building schools, creating scholarship opportunities to the deserving as well as the needy as well as supporting University of Maiduguri, Borno State University and some of our colleges with lecture halls, theatres and buses.
5. Healthcare service was boosted by providing primary health centres as well as supporting the existing hospitals with equipment and facilities.
6. Empowered women and youths and provided employment opportunities to numerous indigenes of Borno state.
Betara’s achievements in his state, where I come from, is unprecedented in the history of Borno state. He is from a minority tribe who could only politically produce a deputy governor, because of Betara’s wide acceptability and level headedness, I have the feelings that he will be the first non Kanuri/Shuwa to govern our state should he decide to contest anytime.
As a member of the House, he has shown a pan-Nigerian spirit which has endeared him to a large chunk of members of the House. The present Speaker knows that Hon. Betara is the key to the House which he presently oversees.
The issue of coming from the same state or region with the Vice President should not be an issue because this is not the first time neither will it be the last time. Former Speaker of the House during the 7th Assembly after brazing all odds to became the Speaker even when Namadi Sambo was Vice President. Just recently, the present Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila is from the same state with the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and there has not been any complaint in that regard. It will be a disservice to Nigerians who voted for the president elect and his vice against all odds especially the much touted Muslim Muslim ticket to still deprive them especially majority of the members who are insisting on Hon. Mukhtar Aliyu Betara as Speaker. I believe the incoming president is a democrat who understands the importance of the voice of the people and I strongly expect that at the end of the day, he and the party will accept the outcome of a Betara Speakership which will position the House for a better Nigeria.
May God direct us aright.
Abba Bukar Abba Masta is the National Coordinator of United Youth Initiative For Good Governance. He is also a former House of Assembly Candidate in Borno State, writes from Bama.
