January 10 this year marked the 46th birthday of one of Nigeria’s emerging political icons, namely, speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, a man one can confidently qualify as a leader, boss, mentor and reliable brother.
Working with Tambuwal in the last seven months has reinforced the high regards I had for him even before I was elected into the lower chamber of the National Assembly. Like many in the political circle who have interest in how the House is run, I had a very positive view of Tambuwal right from my days as an aspirant. This came about following his various contributions to the development of the legislative arm of government in particular and the country in general. He made his mark while serving as chairman of the Business and Rules Committee of the House, minority leader and later deputy whip, amongst many other responsibilities.
Since our path properly crossed in the House, my respect for the speaker has quadrupled. While many Nigerians did not truly know his character and personality until he stoutly contested for the office of the speaker, his true leadership skills are only starting to come to the fore, and I believe that by the end of it all, Nigerians would be glad they have the right person as speaker of the House of Representatives.
Incidentally, since his election as speaker, Tambuwal has performed his functions excellently to the admiration of all stakeholders. But the fact is that you have to work closely with him to really appreciate his dedication and uncommon commitment to duty.
In my estimation, only few leaders in the current political clime have the moral standing that Tambuwal exudes. It still boggles my mind that despite the numerous high-stake interventions he has made in the polity since June last year when he emerged speaker, balancing between the expectations of the executive arm, his colleagues and Nigerians as a whole, he is still the ever cheering fellow who never lost touch with his constituency.
His strong stance on discipline, accountability and truth is now setting the bar and becoming an example in a country that morality and social justice is being thrown to the wind.
Despite his mien and jovial outlook, the speaker is extremely humble, down to earth and does not suffer fools for nothing. He is disciplined but not wicked, taciturn and smart but not arrogant, blunt and shoots from the hips but not loquacious. He can be downright jovial and playful to a fault but not in any way close to being an unserious person.
His deftness and maturity in handling sensitive issues stand him out as a leader people can rely on. At the height of the lobby preceding the composition of committee members in the House of Representatives, many members were astounded at the manner in which he handled the delicate assignment and its aftermath.
Let me relate a personal story which showed how shrewd the speaker can be in the discharge of his responsibilities. While members were mounting pressures from many quarters, seeking to be named into one committee or the other, the speaker confided in one of the senior members that one of their mutual friends may be appointed to head a particular committee. In sheer excitement, that member informed the mutual friend of the pending appointment, and before long, information got to the speaker that already, congratulatory messages were being sent to the particular member because of the position that was yet to be announced.
Rather than chide the member for ‘leaking’ the confidential discussion they had as will be the case with many leaders, the speaker took it in his stride, calmly as always. On the day he announced the composition of the committees on the floor of the House, he took all members by surprise when that member realised that he had been given a different committee from the one he was earlier told. The point he later made to his colleagues was that as leaders they should allow all discussions held in confidence to remain as such. Rather than punish his colleagues, he devised a diplomatic way to send his message which consequence was not lost on all parties. Personally, I have learnt much from such rare display of wisdom. More so that I was a fresh member working hard to settle down in the highly technical job of a legislator. Only a boss like? Tambuwal can, with ease save you from bouncing into landmines.
Unlike most politicians, Tambuwal hardly engages in war of words and verbal abuse which inundate the pages of our newspapers and the electronic media. Ever engrossed with avenues of fast-tracking development, his gentlemanly disposition is always evident in the way he conducts his affairs and in the calibre of persons he surrounds himself with at any given time.
I have to admit to his humane, humble and easy-going disposition. The doggedness with which he executed his perfect campaign for the office of the speaker only espouses his determination to pursue any cause for which he is fully convinced about, mostly with a refreshing dose of patience and humility to go with it, and this has been the catalyst of the resounding success and victories that have trailed his every move. The recent intervention by the House of Representatives in the fuel subsidy removal imbroglio is an attestation to his panache and astute organisational and managerial abilities.
Without doubt, Tambuwal is a man who has displayed rare virtues of humility, courage and steadfastness in the discharge of his duties. Since his election as speaker, he has shown what latent power, patience and commitment he could boast of. He, in fact, played out the age-long Igbo cliché which says that when a taller adult held unto what belonged to a shorter child, he was sure to release it when his hand started hurting, no matter how long it took. His professional, unbiased and humane approach to issues has continued to attract scores of accolades and encomiums from various quarters.
But it does not go without the fact that this silent achiever has not got what may be misconstrued as shortcoming, one of which is his quietness which many tend to view otherwise. For instance, not naming members of the various committees of the House until three months after his inauguration was misconstrued in some quarters for indecision. But the delay some people earlier considered as weakness quickly dissolved when they all appreciated he understood the workings and psychology of the House, thus the need for massive consultation and consensus building which has become the hallmark of the way he leads the House.
As noted elsewhere, there is no better way to appreciate Tambuwal’s efforts than to admit the fact that the history of the Seventh Session of the National Assembly would never be complete without a proper mention of him as its standard bearer. At 46, Tambuwal’s youth and wisdom point to a future of hope and possibilities. His apparent willingness not to be encumbered by the political exigencies or double-speak that had stunted our progress as a nation marks him out as a leader to be reckoned with now and in the future.
Without sounding immodest, I will say he is a light to the legislature and Nigeria as a whole.
To this rare gem, astute lawyer, consummate politician, friend to the mighty and the lowly, defender of the downtrodden and bridge builder, I say happy birthday in arrears.
Jibrin is the chairman, House Committee on Finance.????
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