The majority leader of the House of Representatives, Ado Doguwa, has said his ongoing murder trial could not stop his bid to contest for the speakership position of the 10th National Assembly.
Mr Doguwa is facing trial on charges bordering on culpable homicide, unlawful possession of a firearm, among others, at the Kano division of the Federal High Court.
But speaking at the official declaration of his speakership bid in Abuja on Wednesday, the lawmaker insisted that he remains innocent until proven guilty by the court.
“I want Nigerians and my colleagues to join me in prayers so that by God’s grace we will get to know the truth of the matter.
“I must stress that a guilty man who is charged for a case like this would not have gone for a supplementary election and won.
“I went back to the same people of Tudun Wada, offered and presented myself. I canvassed for 7,000 outstanding votes and in the end, the people said ‘this man remains our ambassador”.
Speaking further, Mr Doguwa said, “I want to say, to the best of my ability, to the best of my knowledge, that I am a low level person, humble. I am a low level Nigerian and I will always present myself as such.
“For those who refer to me as a high level, temperamental person, I want to say, by my judgment, my standard that they mis-perceive the man who has four wives and 28 kids in his house, and I’ve never had a divorce. It is only a mistaken perception.
“It can only be a misperception, or an oversight, or lack of proper comprehension if anybody of my disposition, of my social stature.
“I want to say clearly at this point that the principle of presumption of innocence until one is proven guilty covers me and it does not stop me whatsoever to vie for a position that I know am eminently qualified to vie for.
“But one political point I must stress is that a guilty man who is charged for a case like this would not have gone for a supplementary election and won the way and manner won this rerun.
Mr Doguwa, who represents the Doguwa/Tudun federal constituency, noted that he has paid his dues to the party, stressing that it is now time to reward him with the position.
“I have realised that it is necessary to heed the call of the people who believe in my capacity to seek the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“I am committed to working with my colleagues and all Nigerians to deliver on their expectations and to preside over the house to the best of my ability in the overall interest of the people.
“I have paid my dues; it is time to reward my stewardship to both the parliament and the nation,” he added.
