The majority leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, has withdrawn from the race for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives.
He made this known in a statement shared on his Twitter page on Thursday.
He said, “My dear compatriots, I write to formally announce my withdrawal from the race for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“Throughout the campaign, I have been humbled and grateful for the support, encouragement, and solidarity I received from many of you. I want to express my sincerest gratitude to each one of you for your trust and confidence in me.
“However, after careful consideration and reflection, I have come to the difficult decision that it is in the best interest of our party and the House as a whole for me to step down from pursuing the Speakership at this time. I believe it is crucial for us to maintain unity and focus on the greater objectives that lie ahead.
“I want to emphasise that this decision is not a reflection of any doubts about Hon. Tajudeen Abbas’s capabilities or qualifications for the role of Speaker.
“On the contrary, I continue to firmly believe in his potential to provide effective and inclusive leadership to the House. Tajudeen Abbas possesses the qualities and vision required to navigate the complex challenges we face and drive positive change.
“I have had the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with Hon. Tajudden Abbas, and I am convinced that his commitment to serving our constituents and advancing our shared values is unwavering. I wholeheartedly endorse his candidacy and pledge my full support to him in his pursuit of the Speakership.
“I urge all of you to join me in rallying behind Hon. Tajudden Abbas, as he embodies the principles and aspirations that we believe will help us lead with integrity and diligence. Together, we can work towards fostering a productive and collaborative environment within the House, where the voices of all members are heard and respected.
“Once again, thank you for your support and belief in my candidacy. I am confident that with Hon. Tajudden Abbas at the helm, we will achieve great things for our constituents and our nation. Thank you and God bless.”