‘Let’s allow the system to work’ — Gbajabiamila speaks on speculation of his appointment as COS

Femi Gbajabiamila, the outgoing speaker of the house of
representatives, says those speculating his appointment as the chief of staff
(COS) to President Bola Tinubu should allow the “system to work”.

There were reports on Thursday that Gbajabiamila had been
named as the COS of the newly inaugurated president.

The reports claimed that the speaker was introduced as the
COS at a meeting between Tinubu and security chiefs at the Presidential Villa,
Abuja.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Gbajabiamila
declined to confirm the claims and said: “Let’s allow the system to work.”

 “Be patient, be
patient. The system works in its own way. Let’s allow the system to work,” the
lawmaker added.

“We’ll see, we’ll see, we’ll see. Thank you very much.”

On his part, Senate President Ahmed Lawan described the
report as “speculations”, but noted that the speaker has all it takes to occupy
the position.

He added that Gbajabiamila would be a good fit as the COS
because the position requires an individual with “very versed experience in the
area of legislation”.

“I am waiting for the announcement. You are speculating. You
know you are in the media. I’m not,” Lawan said.

“The speaker of the house of representatives has been
rumoured to be the chief of staff designate. First of all, I pray that it comes
to pass. If that happens, Mr president would have made a wise decision.

“At this moment, you need a chief of staff with very versed
experience in the area of legislation, in the area of cooperating with the
executive which the speaker spearheaded from the house.

 “He has a very good
network and the support that is required. And when that happens, you know this
administration is going to be the administration of the legislators.

“You have a president who was a senator, a vice president
who was a senator, and of course, our potential chief of staff designate, the
speaker of the House of Representatives, is somebody who has been in the
National Assembly for 20 years.

“So, this administration should have no difficulty relating
with the 10th national assembly because all of them have passed through the
national assembly system, and they know what the sentiments and the
sensibilities of members of the national assembly are.”

In March, Gbajabiamila had denied speculation that he was
lobbying for the position after he won his re-election to the national
assembly.

 “I don’t know
anything about that chief of staff thing,” Gbajabiamila had said.

“All I heard was that I didn’t come here last week to pick
up my certificate, and for that reason, somebody conjectured that I must be in
line for the office because I didn’t care about my mandate.