Abass denies alleged links with radical Islamic sect
The All Progressives Congress (APC) preferred candidate for the position of Speaker in the 10th House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abass, has denied alleged membership of any “radical Islamic sect.”
Also, 74 Members-Elect out of 92 in the Northwest have pledged support for him emerge as Speaker and Hon Benjamin Kalu as Deputy Speaker next Tuesday.
Abass spoke at a dinner in Abuja on Tuesday night after the 74 members-elect endorsed Abass’ candidature for speaker.
Abass said that he is a Hausa/Fulani and concerns about his identity were baseless.
He said: “It is important to say that the 10th Assembly will not and will never be a rubber stamp to the executive. In areas where we need to cooperate or collaborate we will do the very best for us to ensure that there is that synergy.
“Where we believe that the Executive has erred, we will not be afraid to stand up and tell the the executive you are wrong in this place and we will not accept it.
“Again, I also want to highlight some areas of that in the past few months have been going on in the social media about my identity.
“I want to use this opportunity to say that I am a Hausa man from my father’s side from Zaria and a Hausa man or Katsina man from my mother’s side. I’m both Hausa/Fulani from both sides.
“I also want to debunk allegations for those who are saying I have religious inclination to radical Islamic group. I want to say that I am a Royal Prince in Zaria. We don’t belong to any other Islamic sect than the Sunni.
“I have no other religious sect other than the Sunni. I tell you for those that know the North in general, a member of any sect other than the Sunni cannot even win election to any leadership position.
“Imagine somebody who has been a member three times spanning a period of 12 years can be branded a religious fanatic or a member of a radical sect. That is politics.
“Those who believe that they can only succeed by smearing their opponent’s image please stop because I believe as a Muslim that power comes from God. No matter what you do if it is not designed for you to be you can never be.”
Majority Leader and Chairman Northwest Caucus of the 9th House of Representatives, Hon Alhassan Ado Doguwa, who briefed reporters after the dinner,said the group is in support of the zoning of offices of presiding officers of the 10th National Assembly by the All Progressives Congress.
