As the race for the House of Representatives Speaker hots up ahead of inauguration of the new legislators of the National Assembly on June 13th, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhasan Doguwa, on Wednesday replied those who are against his ambition.
Doguwa who is carrying a weight of criminal charges for killing a voter and injuring several others during the general election in Kano for which he was arrested, detained and granted bail expressed his capacity to do a good job as a Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.
The criminal trial of the lawmaker representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency in Kano bothers on conspiracy, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of a firearm, mischief, and public disturbance with a possible life sentencing.
Reacting to his critics on Wednesday the lawmaker said, that any leader who
can manage four wives and 28 children like him can aspire to become the Speaker in the 10th Assembly, hence he will manage the House members, the same way he manages 4 wives and 28 children.
Doguwa’s statement was at the backdrop of criticism trailing his ambition that he is too eratic and lacking the competence and right temperament to replace the current speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, he disclosed that those trying to portray him in bad light probably misperceived his attitude, arguing that as Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, he never exhibit any high temperament.
For those who refer to me as a high-level temperamental person, they have misperceived Ado Doguwa, the man who has four wives and 28 children. I have never had a divorce. That shows I have what it takes to excel as the next Speaker. I will be a carpet for Nigerians to march or walk on.
“As a politician, I want to believe that every man is a political animal. And he could be subjected to one disposition or the other.
The issue of temperament is about perception. What someone may perceive as high temperament, another will perceive otherwise.
“But for someone like me who has been in the parliament right from July 4, 1992, to date have successfully secured the mandate of my people. But for time, I would have brought to you my seven different rates of return certificate to show to you my track record.”
Recall that he was arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on February 28, 2023, while boarding a flight to Abuja and has since been released on bail.
“I want to state clearly at this point that I believe in the legal principle of presumption of innocence until one is proven guilty.
Conversely, it does not stop me whatsoever to vie for a position I know that I am eminently qualified for.
“I want my colleagues and Nigerians to join me in prayers so that, by God’s grace, will get to know the truth of the matter. At one point, I was distressed knowing that a guilty man who was charged for a case like this would not have gone for a supplementary election and won the way and manner I did,” he noted.
