by Akan Ido

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal has replied critics who accused him of showering encomium on the Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola during his previous visit to the state.

Tambuwal who was yesterday conferred with the chieftaincy title of Bobagunwa by the Alawe of Ilawe, Oba Ajibade Alabi, said he was not the speaker for the PDP alone but for the whole country.

Read the Punch Newspapers report below:

Tambuwal said, “I was criticised for commending Osun State governor’s performance but  I will always speak the truth. If somebody is doing well we have to commend such person, whether they are in the PDP, Action Congress of Nigeria or in any party.

“I am not the speaker of a political party. I am the speaker for the whole Nigeria. Governor Kayode Fayemi has also done well and he should continue with the good work.”

The speaker had in Osogbo during the launch of Opon Imo, an initiative of Osun State governor lauded Aregbesola, who is a member of the opposition ACN, for his achievements in the last three years.

The PDP Chairman in the state, Mr. Ganiyu Olaoluwa, had said Tambuwal’s comment was unbecoming of a national leader of the party.

Olaoluwa said the speaker’s comment raised posers as to whether he “is a member of the PDP or a supporter of Aregbesola.”

But the speaker, who said he was undeterred by the criticisms, also lauded Fayemi for his performance in Ekiti State since he assumed office and urged the governor to do more.

Tambuwal has been rumoured to be associating with the opposition raising speculation that he might be suspended by the PDP.

Fayemi, in his speech also described Tambuwal as a great leader who should be emulated by others, adding that his leadership style had stabilised the lower House.

The monarch also hailed Fayemi for his transformation of the state, saying the state had not witnessed such transformation before.

He, however, appealed to the governor to fast-track his plan to build a hospital in the town.

Alabi said, “We thank the state government for the plans to build a modern hospital and a housing estate in Ilawe-Ekiti. It is our hope that work will commence in earnest at the sites already given by the community for the projects.”