The Peoples Democratic Party members in the House of Representatives on Sunday said Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the House Majority Leader cannot be forced on them to become their Speaker.

Hon. Jerry Alagboso, who represents Orlu/Oru East/Orsu Federal Constituency at the House stated this in Abuja shortly after the official declaration of interest by Gbajabiamila for the office of the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives.

The lawmaker who said  he was speaking for the PDP, his people in the South-East and South-South noted that Gbajabiamila did not deem it fit to consult widely with the minority parties, especially the main opposition PDP, believing that it was a done deal for him since he had the endorsement of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Alagboso said that it was advisable for Gbajabiamila to ignore the arrogance exhibited by his party in the matter and dialogue and negotiate with the leaders in parliament and political parties as they were the only people capable of helping or scuttling his age-long dream of becoming  Speaker.

His words: “You have been calling on us on phone but it is important that you meet with us. You cannot say because the man’s manhood is small then you can take his wife.” 

Also reacting to the development, Hon. Timothy Golu (PDP, Plateau) affirmed that his party has all it takes to win the speakership slot having done it so well in the past. He dismissed the majority strength of the APC.

Speaking with reporters at the National Assembly Complex on Sunday, Golu said: “When Jonathan wanted Mulikat, the members voted for Tambuwal; when Buhari wanted Femi Gbajabiamila, the same thing happened.

“So this time around, they are going to do the same thing to shoot the candidate of the presidency out. They should have kept quiet. Coming out to do this thing was even the worst of strategies for the APC.

“They have exposed themselves. In fact, to me now, the way I see it, the candidacies of Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila are dead on arrival.”

He faulted APC chieftains for endorsing candidates for the NASS leadership,arguing that imposition will not work where lawmakers are concerned.

“None of them is a member of parliament and when the election will take place, none of them will be there. They are only talking to impress so that the President will say this man is loyal. They are just playing to the gallery.

“As far as I am concerned, Oshiomhole is playing to the gallery. He doesn’t know what happens in here. They don’t fill forms to do this election.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not involved where he can manipulate. It is the members themselves; nobody fills  forms. So, somebody can wake up that day and contest,” he added.