I’ll Run For Speakership, LP Member-elect Says

A member-elect, under the platform of the Labour Party (LP) Ibe Osonwa has said he is not ruling out contesting for the office of the speaker in the 10th Assembly.

Osonwa, who was elected to represent Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia in the 10th assembly, said they are following proceedings adding that there are chances that he can contest for the position of the speaker.

Osonwa stated this when the South-East Young Professionals, a pressure group, from his region paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Friday.

The members-elect who appreciated the group for the visit said that it was an honour that the group thought he was qualified to vy for the office of the speaker.

He said: “We are taking everything into consideration while speaking to the leadership of the House and the South-East caucus.

“This is a moving sand. No positions have been taken. We do not get to elect the speaker until June 13.

“While the Constitution does not recognise ranking members but the House Standing Rules does, we will consult to know what our issues are.”

“We are going to embark on a mission of national integration. Diversity should not be our weak point but our strength and we must harness it,” he said.

Osonwa, who noted that security of lives and property was paramount, promised to come up with bills and motions that would be security-centered.

He also said that there were endless possibilities in Nigeria if the country developed technologically.

Earlier, the group’s coordinator, Mr Uzor Ngoladi said it would be a thing of joy if he considered offering himself for the office of the speaker.

Ngoladi said: “We are here to encourage you to join the speakership race; We are here to congratulate Osonwa who has been elected member of the House of Representatives.

“We are here to engage and encourage him. As he begins his legislative duties there are issues that are bothering young people.

“Osonwa is a vibrant young politician. He will make sure that the issues of southerners are not left behind in this new administration especially in the national assembly.”

He, however, urged the lawmaker-elect to formulate laws that would favour all Nigerians.

On ranking and zoning, Ngoladi said that it would be jettisoned adding that “we saw in the last election; in all the political parties that zoning formula was jettisoned.

“So it can also be jettisoned in the National Assembly. It’s not constitutional. There is no where it is written that if you have not been in the national assembly and you are a first timer that you cannot vy for speakership.”