By Abdulmumini Jibrin
Working with Hon Aminu Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House of Representatives 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.

In my estimation, only few leaders in the current political clime have the moral standing that Tambuwal exudes.

High stake interventions

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, we 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.

Unlike most politicians, Tambuwal hardly engages in war of words and verbal abuse which inundate the pages of our tabloids and electronic media.

Ever-so-engrossed with avenues of fast-tracking development, his gentlemanly disposition is all-too-evident in the way he conducts his affairs and in the caliber 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 in pursuing 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.

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 the workings and psychology of the house thus the need for massive consultation and consensus building which has become the hall mark 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, an astute lawyer, consummate politician, a friend to the mighty and the lowly, a defender of the down trodden, a bridge builder and quintessential family man, I say happy birthday in arrears.