President Muhammadu Buhari’s close ally in the House of Representatives, Mohammed Datti, has joined the ninth House speakership race.
Datti, a long-time political associate of President Muhammadu Buhari is a ranking member who had been in the House since 2007, and was the Deputy Minority Whip in the House from 2011 to 2015.
The Kaduna-born lawmaker, who was a member of Kaduna State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, is believed to have the backing of some of his colleagues and some major party stakeholders outside the National Assembly to clinch the seat.
Datti’s loyalty to the party and closeness to the President may work in his favour, even as he wields influence among his colleagues.
Datti in the 8th House of Assembly, backed the position of the party in 2015 during the speakership contest, and also rejected the chairmanship of the Committee on Solid Minerals immediately after Speaker Yakubu Dogara announced him to head the committee.
The lawmaker had served in committees such as ad-hoc panel on constitution amendment, selection committee as well as member of several delegations of the House on different assignments.
Also, Aminu Suleiman, who chairs the House Committee on Tertiary Education and TetFund, is said to be in the contest for the office of speaker.
The lawmaker, who represents Fagge Federal Constituency of Kano State, is believed to be aspiring for the position as he has since contacted most of his colleagues on the matter.
