Cracks appear to have emerged on the side of the opposition political parties called the ‘Greater Majority’ as a member-elect on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ikenga Ugochinyere, announced that 63 members-elect have endorsed the preferred candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu for Speaker and Deputy Speaker……CONTINUE READING...CONTINUE READING
Abbas and Kalu were announced by the APC as its preferred choices for the principal positions of the 10th Assembly expected to be inaugurated in June.
But the opposition political parties rejected what it called imposition and have been meeting to decide if they can anoint a candidate for the speakership position.
Some of the aggrieved APC aspirants have also kicked against the choice saying they will contest the position on the floor of the House.
Aspirants such as the Deputy Speaker Ahmed Wase; Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, Yusuf Gagdi; Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Aliyu Betara; Chairman, House Committee on Water Resources, Sada Soli; Chinedu Ogah, Miriam Onuoha and Sani Jaji have maintained that the independence of the legislature is paramount and cannot be overlooked for party loyalty.
But as the opposition political parties are gearing up for a workshop in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in the first week of June, Ugochinyere, who is the spokesman for the Coalition of United Political Parties, announced on Wednesday during a press conference that his coalition made of 63 members-elect in minority political parties has endorsed Abbas and Kalu, advising other aspirants to do same.
Ugochinyere, who emerged the winner of the February 25 election into the Federal House to represent Ideato North/South Federal Constituency said, “It is on this note that I call on my colleague members-elect who are still in the race to stop and join the prefect of the class, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, to steer the ship of the 10th Assembly to beat the records of the other Houses in performance and achievement for Nigeria.
“Our common goal now should be beyond party and partisan politics and totally focused on Nigeria and her greater good. We want the best and we have selected the best and importantly, the selection is by merit.
“I do not speak for myself alone. I speak for the 63 like-minded honourable members-elect of the opposition family, who have agreed on a common vision for the 10th Assembly. We will transform into the TBK Group.
“Our 63 votes without any dissent or abstention will go for Hon. Tajudeen Abbas. In the coming days, Nigerians will come to know the identity of the TBK Group and will also feel our impact.”
On why the group endorsed the anointed candidates of the APC despite the acrimony that has followed the 2023 elections, the CUPP spokesman said, “He is enviably educated, has a Doctorate Degree and eminently and vastly experienced to preside over the affairs of the House.
“He is highly resourceful and is manifestly of unblemished integrity which has earned him respect amongst our colleagues at the National Assembly and obviously his party,” he said.
Ugochinyere stressed that Abbas is the lawmaker “with the highest number of bills and that 21 of those bills have been signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.”
Speaking during the press conference, his counterpart in the Labour Party, Amobi Ogah, for Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, added, “For the first time, we are trying to make history.
“I’m supporting Abass and Kalu not because APC picked them. Abass and Kalu have the capacity and competence.
“The 10th Assembly will be a unique one if the duo emerges as Speaker and Deputy Speaker. I beg my colleagues to support the duo in the interest of National unity……CONTINUE READING
