Why Gbajabiamila May Not Return As House Of Reps Speaker If Bola Tinubu Emerges President

Nigeria's House of Representatives speaker, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, may not return in 2023 as the house speaker if his fellow party member Bola Tinubu emerges as Nigeria's president.

Photo credit: Vanguard NG

Recall that Tinubu had stated his intentions to run the presidential race at the forthcoming presidential election. It is argued here that if he emerges victorious at the polls, the job of Femi Gbajabiamila might be in jeopardy for the following reason.

In the case that Bola Tinubu emerges Nigeria's president in the 2023 polls, the Speaker of the House of Representatives may be chosen from another Geo-political zone, not the Southwest.

Photo credit: PM News

Both Mr. Gbajabiamila and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu are from the same Geo-political zone, being the Southwest. Meaning that if Tinubu becomes the president, he may have to give up his position as the speaker of the House of Representatives, following past traditions.

In the past, political traditions have dictated that key political office holders are chosen from the different geopolitical zones, to satisfy the principle of federal character.

Photo credit: Punch NG

For instance, while President Muhammadu Buhari is from the northwest zone, Senate President is from the Northeast zone and the House of Representatives speaker is from the Southwest zone.

Accordingly, if a candidate like Bola Tinubu, who is from the zone as the current speaker, Femi, becomes president, the speaker of the House may have to come from another zone.