From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
After a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu at his residence, yesterday, Aliyu Betara from Borno State and Yusuf Gadgi from Plateau State withdrew their ambition for the speaker and deputy speaker, House of Representative.
Their withdrawal has now cleared the coast for Tajuddeen Abass and Benjamin Kalu to emerge as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively with two of the front line contenders stepping down to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) zoning arrangement.
The meeting had in attendance Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President and Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and Governor of Niger State Mohammed Bago.
Shettima told journalists at the end of the meeting that President Tinubu is pleased with the gesture of Betara and Gadgi to place the interest of the party above their personal ambition.
He called on other contenders for the seat of speaker to take a cue from the two men who have shelved their speakership ambition to work with the party to foster national unity, equity, fairness and justice.