10th Assembly: Sanwo-Olu, Abbas Harp On Unity, Indivisibility Of Nigeria

As the jostle for leadership positions in both houses of National Assembly, the Senate and House of Representatives hots up, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday stressed the need to give priority to the nation’s unity in diversity in the zoning process and contest for the various positions.

Governor Sanwo-Olu stated this when the Speakership aspirant Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and the deputy Speakership aspirant, Hon. Ben Kalu led other members of the ‘Joint Task’, a coalition of elected lawmakers who have pledged to support the choice of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the leadership of the 10th Assembly on a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Lagos House Marina.

It would be recalled that the APC had zoned the positions of the Speaker and Deputy Senate President to the North West.

Addressing the lawmakers, Governor Sanwo-Olu lauded the lawmakers for starting their courtesy visit and engagement with Lagos State said he has been watching the activities that are happening in Abuja with the current 9th Assembly and with members of House of Representatives elect that are waiting to be sworn in to the 10th Assembly.

The Governor urged the lawmakers, “To ensure that the leadership and the followership reflect the unity of our country, reflect the true federal composition and political composition that we have in the country.

“Listening to the introduction here today, I have seen diverse party men and women. I think that will be the first starting point, we have seen enough diversity, we have seen enough representations from all of the regions in the country, from all the various political groups in the country as part of your team.

“You should not stop at that, you should ensure that your engagements are further deepened and like you have observed and said, everybody has the right to the post of Speakership based on your House rules. Everybody has what it takes the moment the various Representatives at their constituencies have been elected, it is best among equal.’’

Earlier, the Speakership aspirant,  Hon.Tajuden Abbas said they decided to start their consultations from Lagos because, “It is the capital of APC and Sanwo-Olu is passionate about the APC dream, government of Asiwaju. We are here because the key movers are coming from this state.

“This project is supposed to be a unity project for everyone. That is why we have people from all the parties elected here and people from different denominations. This is a unity project I want to sell to the Nigerian people.

“We know this time is a divisive time in Nigeria, Nigeria has never been more divided. We believe that the leadership of the National assembly request people who are detribalised, who see Nigerians not regionalist, tribalist or religious fanatics.’’