True to DAILY NIGERIAN prediction, a member representing Ajingi Constituency, Abdulaziz Gafasa, has been elected Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly on Monday.
He was sworn-in alongside his deputy, Hamisu Chidari.
Mr Gafasa, a veteran legislator, was first elected Speaker of the Assembly from 2007 to 2011 during the second tenure of former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau.
The House is dominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC lawmakers, having 27 members against Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s 13.
DAILY NIGERIAN reliably gathered that Mr Gafasa was endorsed by the state governor Abdullahi Ganduje at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Kano Government House on Saturday night.
Although the camp of the outgoing Speaker, Alhassan Rurum, had endorsed a member representing Doguwa Constituency, Salisu Doguwa, the governor overruled their decision by opting for Mr Gafasa, an unassuming politician.
The governor also endorsed a member representing Makoda Constituency, Hamisu Chidari as Deputy Speaker, just as Labaran Madari, who represents Warawa Constituency, was anointed to be the Majority Leader.
Others endorsed by Mr Ganduje are a member representing Kiru Constituency, Kabiru Dashi as Chief Whip; a member representing Kura/Garun Mallam, Hayatu Dorawar Sallau as Deputy Majority Leader and; a member representing Kabo Constituency as Deputy Chief Whip.
Profile of the new Speaker
Mr Gafasa was born in Gafasa village in Ajingi Local Government Area of Kano State in 1962.
He attended Toranke Primary School from 1969 to 1976. After his primary education, he proceeded Government College Birnin Kudu between 1976 and 1981. He proceeded to the School of Social and Rural Development Kano between 1981 and 1983 for a diploma.
He obtained a Higher National Diploma in Business Administration, Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Kaduna Polytechnic.
The new Speaker worked as Area Cooperatives Officer with Kano State Ministry of Commerce.
A former supervisory councillor, Mr Gafasa was elected to represent his constituency under ANPP for the third time.
