Alhassan Doguwa, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, has decided to step back from the speakership race. Doguwa announced his withdrawal on Wednesday evening during a meeting with newly elected representatives at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
Additionally, Abubakar Maki and Olatunji Olawuyi also withdrew from the race.
Doguwa stated that he abandoned his ambition for the speakership on the day when the All Progressives Congress (APC) nominated Abbas and Kalu for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively, in the incoming House of Representatives.
According to Doguwa, Abbas possesses the necessary qualifications and legislative experience to effectively lead the 359 members of the House.
He explained that he withdrew from the race in order to support the party’s chosen candidate, as he himself had benefited from the zoning arrangement.
“I want to assure you all that my presence here is not coincidental. For those of you who may think this is a mere illusion, you are mistaken. This is reality,” stated Doguwa.