Waziri Tambuwal whose middle name simply means the'
Guardian of the Fate' emerged the first among equals in the
7th Assembly on June 6, 2011, he had a game plan as to how
to checkmate the onslaught of his party, the ruling Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP.
His game plan finally came to bear last Tuesday when he red
carded the party on whose back he clinched the speaker-
ship of the House.
His reasoning was simple, since he was not the anointed
candidate of his party and he knew the antics of PDP, he
carefully waited for the dying days of the 7th Assembly to
drop his masterstroke via his decampment to the opposition
party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.
In the first place, it was the APC that ensured he won. Hon
Mulikat Akande-Adeola, the PDP preferred candidate for the
office of the Speaker failed on June 6, 2011 House of
Representatives election. APC lawmakers ensured his victory
with the support of some PDP legislators.
There and then, Tambuwal knew where he should pledge his
allegiance and this he covertly and overtly applied until last
Tuesday.
He kept his friends and political acolytes on their toes as to
where his allegiance lay all these while. He knew from day
one that if he faltered the fire works of the PDP would be too
explosive for him to handle.
He knew what happened to his predecessors that dared
PDP. They went into political oblivion and remained
politically irrelevant. And he accommodated genuine fears
that he would face the same music if he remained in PDP.
Re-election was almost uncertain and his political future
remained bleak with PDP. He decided to join APC on whose
platform he could run for the office of governor of Sokoto
State or run for re-election back to the House.
Tambuwal, on his own, became his own pathfinder which
endeared him to the hearts of his fellow lawmakers who at a
time saw him as one rare gem that has come to right the
wrongs of the past.
His leadership style was embedded in the doctrine of
humility which was one rare ingredient that his
predecessors could not exhibit as speakers.
He came on board with a populist 7 point -Agenda designed
primarily to keep the House 100percent independent from
all forms of incursions from the executive arm of
government.
To a large extent this was achieved in the first two years of
his administration as lawmakers spoke in one voice until
2013 when the New PDP emerged following the break up of
the Governors Forum.
This singular development that almost tore PDP into shreds
affected the comradeship among members who, hitherto,
enjoyed peace and oneness since inception.
The House he had toiled to construct day and night now
became divided.
Tambuwal, at this stage, employed many intrigues but the
damage had been done. He had to prepare himself for the
last card on his table which is his movement from PDP to
APC.
His major challenges:
Tambuwal could not execute his pet project which was the 7-
point Legislative Agenda to the letter. He recorded at least
70 percent success.
He had wanted to make Nigeria's Green Chamber the first
African e- Parliament compliant. Though work on this is at
an advanced stage, this dream may not be accomplished
before he leaves.
Secondly, his fervent desire to carry along his 359 colleagues
despite paucity of funds was a major setback to him.
It is on record that Tambuwal knows every member by their
first name and the constituencies they represent. A very rare
gift.
Thirdly, his penchant for good legislation to make Nigeria a
better place for all is never in doubt.
Implication of his defection
The House has less than two months to execute serious
legislative business as the month of December is always
work free. The lawmakers may seat for only six days.
January 2015, lawmakers would be in the battle field trying
to see how they can return to the House.
February is the month of election so there will be no
legislative business.
By March the results of the election must have had their toll
and casualties of the election would have been known.
April, there will be little legislative action on the floor of the
House.
By May the politics of who emerges the new speaker peaks.
By June 5, the 7th Assembly will be rested and the 8th
Assembly emerges.
The effect of his defection may lead the House into a war
zone. But one thing is certain, the PDP needs at least a
dozen cranes and a 100 buldozers to buldoze Tambuwal out
of office.
As it is now, the PDP has 195 active lawmakers while the APC
has 159 leaving the remaining 6 that could pitch their tents
where it suits them.
PDP does not have the 2/3 majority to unseat Tambuwal
which is a mandatory constitutional provision. PDP needs
240 lawmakers to shove Tambuwal aside.
Tambuwal's trump card
After the PDP primaries, the lawmakers who failed to win
will solidly stand by Tambuwal making the House an entirely
APC House.
This development could make the 2015 Budget suffer an
unprecedented setback, causing more problems for the PDP
led government.
Tambuwal has an unequaled track record of being the only
lawmaker that has gone to the House for three terms and
was appointed a principal officer.
In 2003-2007 he was deputy minority under ANPP.
2007-2011 he was deputy majority whip. In 2011 he
emerged speaker.
This his experience will come to bear and may further
rubbish whatever impeachment plan in the offing for him.
.
0 Comments: