As intrigues continue to mount ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly leadership, the Coalition of APC Northwest Support Group has thrown its weight behind the party’s endorsed candidate Abbas Tajudeen and Benjamin Kalu as speaker and deputy speaker of the Green Chamber, respectively.
APC had on May 8 anointed Tajudeen and Kalu as speaker and deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.
In a statement jointly signed by the national coordinator Auwal Shuaibu Gumel and secretary Abdullahi Muhammed yesterday in Abuja the group said Abass, has whatever it takes to be speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.
The group said having come from the region which gave the APC the highest number of votes(North-west), of 2,652,824, it became imperative and justifiable to do so, morally and politically.
It said Abass who is a ranking member, and currently the House Committee chairman on Land Transport, has been in the House since 2011 and had vast experience in the position.
It said Abass’s parliamentary service to the nation, was evidently in the 9th House of Representatives when he set the record of a Member with the most Bills. He said Abbass sponsored 74 of such Bills, out of which 21 were signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Such milestone is unprecedented and speaks volume of his legislative prowess. So, if experience was the yardstick to gauge one’s performance, Hon Abass has enough of it.
He understood the tempest and complex nature of the House of Representatives, having being there for 12 unbroken years. As such, he will be a Speaker, for all Nigerians, regardless of creed or political leanings,” it said.
The statement though calm and unassuming Hon Abass is a transformational leader who has the needed capacity and capabilities to steer the affairs of the 10th National Assembly, as Speaker.
It said being combative, loquacious and flippant does not define transformational leadership of such an all important democratic institution, Abass is a suave and cosmopolitan lawmaker.
The group said he is in tune with the dynamics of the Nigerian State.
“His relationship with colleagues from other region, and different faith is reassuring to the point where we shall see a vibrant 10th House of Representatives, under him,” it said.
The group added that Kalu, the party’s candidate for deputy speaker, from South-East is a resourceful and vibrant parliamentarian.
“Having come from the South East, his choice for the position will address the issue of inclusiveness, marginalisation, faith and balance of political power,” the group added.
