Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria

The Speaker of the House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the Federal House of Representatives of Nigeria. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the current speaker, was elected on June 6, 2011.

History

From 1959 to 1960, Jaja Wachuku was the first indigenous Speaker of the House of Representatives. Wachuku replaced Sir Frederic Metcalfe of Great Britain. As first Speaker of the House, Wachuku received Nigeria's Instrument of Independence, also known as Freedom Charter, on October 1, 1960, from Princess Alexandra of Kent (Alexandra was Elizabeth II's representative at the Nigerian Independence ceremonies). Chaha Biam hails from Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. He was elected to the House of Representative on the platform of NPN in the 1983 general elections and was elected as the Speaker of House of Representative in the shortlived second tenure of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, October 1, 1983 - December 31,1983.

Selection and succession to presidency

The speaker is chosen in an indirect election conducted within the House of Representatives. The Speaker is third in line for succession to the Nigerian presidency, after the President of the Senate and Vice President.

List of Speakers

Name Term Party
Jaja Wachuku 1959–1960 NCNC
Ibrahim Jalo Waziri 1960–1966
Edwin Ume-Ezeoke 1979–1983 NPN
Chaha Biam 1983 NPN
Salisu Buhari 1999–2000 PDP
Ghali Umar Na'Abba 2000–2003 PDP
Aminu Bello Masari 2003–2007 PDP
Patricia Etteh 2007 PDP
Dimeji Bankole 2007–2011 PDP
Aminu Waziri Tambuwal Since 2011 APC

References