The member representing Borno, Marte, Monguno and Nganzaine federal constituency in the House of Representatives and one of the contestants for the position of Speaker of the 8th Assembly, Mohammed Monguno, on Tuesday voluntarily withdrew from the race.
Monguno, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, said that he was withdrawing from the race to back the candidature of House Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, one of the frontline contenders.
Monguno added that he would join Gbajabiamila for the position of deputy speaker.
Part of a statement he issued in Abuja, read, “After broad consultations and thoughtful consideration, I have decided not to run for the office of the Speaker in the 8th Assembly.
“Instead, I give my full endorsement to my friend and colleague, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who I believe has the requisite qualification to lead the 8th Assembly in the onerous task of addressing the important and pressing needs of the citizens of this nation.
“I will instead be running for the Deputy Speaker position on a joint ticket with Hon. Gbajabiamila”.