10th NASS: 74 North-West Members-elect Endorse Abbas, Kalu For Speaker, Deputy

74 out of 92 Members-elect from seven States of the North-West geo-political zone, have endorsed Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Hon. Benjamin Kalu for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the next 10th House of Representatives.

LEADERSHIP reports that the 10th House of Representatives is slated for inauguration on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

At a meeting late Tuesday night in Abuja, the lawmakers-elect on the auspices of North-West Coordination Forum for Hon. Abbas Tajudeen for Speaker 10th Assembly, said they have accepted the All Progressives Congress (APC) zoning formula for the 10th Assembly leadership positions in favour of Abbas and Kalu, urging all other contestants to step down for the duo for the sake of national interest and unity.

At the end of the meeting, which was physically attended by 74 out 92 Members-elect from different political parties, an eight-point communique was issued by the group and signed by the outgoing Majority Leader and chairman, North-West Caucus of the 9th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa.

The communique reads in parts: “We House of Representatives members-elect from the North-West geo-political zone comprising Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Jigawa and Sokoto States irrespective of political affiliations hereby resolve as follows:

“That we perused 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 that it is acceptable to us in its entirety as it is reflective of the federal character principle as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

“That 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.

“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.

“That 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 legislators 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.

“That we appeal 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

“That we are committed to supporting the administration of the President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a better Nigeria and this can only happen with a competent and acceptable leadership in the House of Representatives.”