Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas is one of the top contenders for the office of the Speaker in the 9th House of Representatives. He represents Ganye/Mayo Belwa/Toungo Federal Constituency of Adamawa State and chairs the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs. In this interview with KAUTHAR ANUMBA-KHALEEL, he speaks on the speakership contest and his aspiration.
You are currently one of the main contenders for the position of the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives and you publicly declared your intention to that effect. Why do you want to lead the House?
I’m of the belief that it is time for the youths to take charge of the leadership and occupy critical positions in this country because they have a lot of ideas to bring to the table. Particularly, I know that the legislature is very critical to the development of this nation as such, there is need for it to forge a cordial and harmonious relationship with the executive for sustainable development. And for that to happen, we need persons who can uphold the principle of checks and balances and are well grounded in parliamentary practices because the legislature operates in accordance with laid down rules. The House needs someone with the temperament to lead people effectively. And since serving as spokesman of the House since 2015, I have come to the realisation that the institution of the National Assembly has image problem which stemmed from the perception of the people. In my own little way, I tried to change the perception. But then, I believe that as speaker, I will finally alter the negative perception. To effectively do that, I mean to change a public perception, you need to start by investing in the media and having practiced as a journalist in addition to managing the image of the House, I’m better positioned to lead the House. We have had cases where lawmakers were branded negative names for performing their legislative functions, by the people for one reason or the other and this stems from negative perception. So, we need a speaker that has the wherewithal to correct this perception and have both the people and the National Assembly on the same page. Additionally, the 9th House deserves the best of leadership and that is the reason I’m offering myself for the position of Speaker. I possess the necessary legislative and personal qualities to effectively lead the House to enviable heights. But importantly, I have a charter with the people, tagged ‘New Legislative Charter’ which is essentially to advance the cause of our country. The New Legislative Charter is our contract with the Nigerian people; it is a contract that will be driven by good laws and ethical legislative practices. I would love to enter into a contract with the Nigerian people for the good of the nation. And with the charter, I will consolidate on the Legislative Agenda of the 8th House. Basically, I believe that I possess the required qualities and experiences to serve the next House and take it to new heights. I’m Pan-Nigerian and that is the kind of speaker we need now.
The Legislature and the Executive have constantly locked horns. If you are elected speaker, how do you intend to bring this to an end?
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It is not entirely abnormal for both arms to disagree on certain issues. However, when it is constant, then it becomes detrimental to national development. That said, one thing we have going for us in the 8th National Assembly particularly, the House is that the APC is in the majority, overwhelmingly so. And it is the ruling party. We hope to leverage on this to build a more cordial relationship with the executive. Both arms of government need to start seeing each other as partners in progress and this can be achieved through lobbying rather than coercion. The executive needs to lobby the legislature instead of trying to force its way on the National Assembly. That way, we can consult and rub minds together on critical issues when they arise. So, we intend to build a cordial relationship that is anchored on mutual respect and trust with the executive. However, we should not be seen or expected to be a rubber stamp because the constitution clearly provides for checks and balances and independence of the three arms of government. My leadership will however be defined by logical and positive arguments; we will not be confrontational or quarrelsome but we will engage the executive on cogent issues; issues that will advance the cause of the common Nigerians. Importantly, the opposition will not be left out. We will carry them along for progressive governance and sustainable development. Also, members will be trained and re-trained on how best to engage with the executive especially regarding their oversight functions in order to minimise or avoid having unnecessary clashes.
The factor of ranking oftentimes comes to play during the contest for the position of the speaker and some of the contestants have spent more time in the House than you who has just won election for a second term. Does this bother you?
The most important thing is one’s capacity to do the job of speaker. Do I have the legislative experience to hold the position? Yes, I do. I have been here for four years and I know how the legislature works. In 1999, Hon. Salisu Buhari, who had no legislative experience was elected speaker and he was doing well until issues cropped up that led to him vacating the position. So, why should I, a second timer be bothered? No, it does not bother me and I’m not in any way intimidated because I have the capacity and will be working with other experienced colleagues if elected. Besides, I was a deputy president of the Pan-African Parliament; it means I made a mark there, represented and promoted Nigeria’s interest properly and because of my links there, I can influence some things from there to benefit the House and Nigeria generally. I believe that these are some of the credentials that members will look at and understand that I have the wherewithal to lead the House.
You come from the North-east and the leadership of APC has not only zoned the position of the Senate President to that geo-political zone but endorsed a candidate from there also. Wouldn’t that affect your chances?
As we speak, we have not been informed of what zone the position of the speaker will go to. But I have heard that the senate president is for the North-east and if that is true, it means the chances of the North-east are brighter; there is absolutely nothing wrong with us contesting. The important thing is having the capacity to deliver. Even though Senator Ahmed Lawan has been endorsed by the party, I’m certain there may be others too, that will contest for the position just like we have other contestants and myself in the speakership race. At the end of the day, members will speak, they will decide who they want as their leaders. That is the essence and beauty of democracy after all.
Still on party endorsement, isn’t the party’s insistence on a particular candidate for NASS leadership a recipe for a loss as the 2015 imcident could repeat itself?
We have impressed it on the party to treat us fairly and I know the party has taken steps to avoid a re-occurrence of the ugly incident that played out in 2015. We, members of the APC are in the National Assembly because of the party; we are not oblivious of that fact. But like I said, we have asked the party to be fair and regard us as partners; we want to be treated fairly. If that is done, I don’t envisage any problem.
Groups, caucuses and alliances have been formed for the purpose of the contest of the speaker. Which of these do you belong to?
I’m an independent candidate solely going into the contest with nothing but the support of colleagues, who have confidence in my candidacy and capabilities. I do not belong to any group and I also do not have any sponsor or a god-father. In any case, I do not have the money to throw around. I only have the support of members who buy-in to my vision for the House. We should look out for contestants that have the credentials and capacity to deliver and leave out other factors and this is important if we really need to move the country forward. We must start thinking progressively. But like I said earlier, my colleagues will decide who they desire for leadership positions.
