10th HoR Speaker: Wase explains why it’s his turn

…as G7 pledges to endorse one candidate, amongst them

By Tom Okpe

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep Idris Ahmed Wase has explained why he wants to be the leader of the 10th House when inaugurated saying his aim is to evolve a virile and truly independent legislator.

Wase, who spoke while exposing his 10 point agenda for the House of Representatives on Friday night during his declaration to contest the plum position at the Transcorp Hilton said his administration will focus on general orientation and image rebranding of the National Assembly, ensuring a true people’s parliament; creating efficient and innovative parliament.

He said: “I will be approaching nation building as a joint task, irrespective of the political affiliation, tribe or religion; strong and independent parliament; law and order and strong legislative oversight.

“Others will be security; fiscal discipline and economic prosperity, social welfare schemes and programmes.”

Explaining further, he said: “Generally speaking, my conduct will be motivated by an avowed commitment to national integration to build a society, where justice reigns.

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“We need to build on the successes recorded so far within the context of national laws and support Nigerian international commitments that seek to promote national interest and welfare of all Nigerian citizens.”

The Deputy Speaker, who represents Wase federal constituency of Plateau State recalled that since the return of democracy in 1999, the North Central geo-political zone haven’t produced the speaker, appealing to the power brokers to cede to the poaition to the zone, adding that it was his turn.

“It must also be noted that it is only the North Central in the entire country that has not produced the ‘Speaker’ in 24 years after the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999.

“Fellow Nigerians, Nigeria is built on the supremacy of the law and the sacredness of the Constitution for justice to reign and to keep peace in the country.

“It is on the strength of this, that I offer myself to contest and serve as the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, in the 10th Assembly in clear deference to Nigerian constitutional provision and with your full support and understanding of Nigerians so that the journey we began together long time ago can continue to prosper.

“At this point, I will use the words of my leader, ’emilokan emilokan, emilokan,” Wase said.

In their goodwill messages, other speakership aspirants, Reps Mukhtar Betara of Borno State; Jaji from Zamfara State; Sada Soli, (Katsina State); Mariam Onouha of Imo State and Yusuf Gagdi from Plateau State made up the Group 7 (G7) of aggrieved lawmakers protesting the nomination of Rep Tajudeen Abass by the APC as its preferred candidate saying that they will support one of them to contest for the office.

“Six of us aspirants are here to support the campaign of our deputy speaker. Six of us are determined to protect democracy because the House of Representatives is the House of the Nigerian people.

“By the time we lock ourselves in the House, no leadership of the House will be there. It will be we, and we. May God Almighty see our heart and chose a leader for us,” Gagdi said..

Similarly, Betara also said “Members-elect, aspirants, I came here to appreciate my brother, the Deputy Speaker, Wase and others for finding time to attend this declaration.

“I have known the deputy speaker since 2007 and we have been together since then. For us forming a group, we are not fighting, we are all APC members.

“A consensus candidate can be picked, but we must sit and say this is the person we have picked to lead us. I assure all my colleagues, members-elect, former members, we are not going to fight. We are going to agree to support one of us as speaker, he added.

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