Why I won’t resign as Speaker after Emerging as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff – Gbajabiamila

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed why he will not step down after being announced as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s new Chief of Staff.

The President officially declared Gbajabiamila as his COS on Friday, June 2, 2023.

He also appointed Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, former Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, as Deputy Chief of Staff and former Special Affairs Minister George Akume as Secretary to the Federal Government.

After Gbajabiamila was confirmed as the new COS, there was talk that he might have to resign from the House of Representatives, paving the way for another lawmaker before the current 9th House’s term ends on June 11.

There are indications that if he steps down, his deputy, Idris Wasse, will take his place. However, this may not be true as they were not elected to the House of Representatives by a single vote

In that case, an interim speaker may have to be chosen to lead the House until the end of the 11th. June.

But after thanking the president for selecting him as chief of staff, Bajabiamila revealed that his resumption date to office is June 14, 2023, meaning he may not have to step down from his current chairmanship.

A brief statement on Twitter said: ; “Thank you Mr. President for finding me worthy of being your Chief of Staff.

“Having spent the last 20 years in the Nigerian Parliament, and after winning my 6th term election into the National Assembly, I shall work with Mr. President in discharging the enormous task ahead of him for the peace and progress of the federal republic of Nigeria.

“I shall give my best when I take office on June 14 2023 as reflected in Mr. President’s official letter.”