10th Speakership: North West members- elect back Abass’ aspiration
By Tunde Opalana
Aspiration of the preferred candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the position of Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon (Dr) Tajudeen Abass got a boost as members – elect for the from the North West geopolitical zone Tuesday night endorsed his candidature.
The members- elect under the aegis of the North West Coordinating Forum for Hon. Abass Tajudeen for Speaker 10th Assembly declared their support for the ranking lawmaker from Kaduna State at
the Abuja Continental Hotel.
Setting the tone for the endorsement was Hon Bello Ka’oje, who in his welcome address said members- elect from the North West states of Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Jigawa and Sokoto states with 92 members constitute more than a quarter of the 360 House members and therefore has numerical advantage in alliance with members – elect of like minds from.other geopolitical zones to deliver the Speakership seat to Hon. Abass at the House inauguration on June 13.
Chairman of the occasion and Chairman North West Caucus of the 9th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ado Doguwa who spoke on behalf of others said the proposed zoning arrangement of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with respect to the sharing of presiding officers of the National Assembly and concluded is acceptable to the Caucus in its entirety as it is reflective of the federal character principle as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
He said the decision to cede the positions of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 10th National Assembly to the North West and South-East geo-political zones which is the most populated zone of the country is in order as it is essential for the stability and progress of the country.
Doguwa, who is the Leader of the 9th House posited that the North-West geopolitical zone has contributed significantly to the victory of the ruling party in the just concluded 2023 General elections, particularly to the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He spoke further on why the members- elect are pitching their tents with Tt. Jon. Abass, saying ” the National Assembly is a critical institution in our democracy and that whoever must preside over the House of Representatives must not only be experienced in legislative affairs but must be competent and well versed in the affairs of governance of the country.
“Consequently, our decision to declare support for the candidacy of Dr Tajudeen Abass and RT Hon. Benjamin Kalu is based on their pedigree and accomplishments over the years as a legislator of note.
“That as a fourth termer with an outstanding performance as the sponsor of the highest number of Bills and motions in the House of Representatives, it is in the interest of the nation to have such an experienced legislator as the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.”
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“The North West Caucus appealed to other Speakership contestants to as a matter of national interest and cohesion concede and pave the way for the seamless emergence of Dr Tajudeen Abass and Hon Benjamin Kalu as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.
He added that the Caucus is “committed to supporting the administration of the PresidentAsiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a better Nigeria and this can only happen with a competent and acceptable leadership in the House of Representatives.
“We hereby by unanimously declare our total support for the sole candidature of Dr Tajudden Abbas as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Rt. Hon Benjamin Kalu as Deputy Speaker.”
About 66 of the 92 members- elect were in present at the event while a few other members of the 9th House irrespective of political party affiliations such as Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP Rivers) were in attendance to give Abass moral support.
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