By Christiana Ekpa
Members-elect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday assured Nigerians that the lingering crisis trailing the election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 10th Assembly would be resolved amicably.
The lawmakers who spoke during a media chat at the sideline of the ongoing Induction of returning and newly elected lawmakers organised by National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), expressed support for the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu’s ambition.
Speaking exclusively with Parliamentary Correspondents, former Speaker, Gombe House of Assembly, Hon. Garba Inuwa described Hon. Betara as the most qualified Aspirant after wide consultation with other Aspirants who have so far expressed interest in the Speakership race.
“The focus of the Greater Majority is to have a very focussed and purposeful leadership for the 10th Assembly that will bring all members together for a good working relationship.
“That should be based on track record, experience and commitment. Most of us in the 10th Assembly believe that Aliyu Betara has what quality to give to Nigerians what we want in the 10th House of Representatives.
“Nigeria is already in a serious problem and to come out of this problem starts and ends with having a good leadership.
Also speaking with Parliamentary Correspondents, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, member representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo state who kicked against the APC National Working Committee’s plot to impose its preferred Aspirants on the House,
He said: “I believe that the independence of the parliament is an important foundation for any progress that will be recorded. At the same time, stability and harmonious co-existence is also very important if we must achieve what we promised our people out there.
“Right now, there seems to be so much confusion. But in the days ahead, after consulting party leaders, one can speak clearly on these divisions and this contest viz-a-vis the need for an independent parliament, the need for stability and the need for harmonious co-existence.”
On his part, Hon. Cyril Hart (PDP, Rivers) observed that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) stipulates the “procedure that we should adopt as members to elect our presiding officers. I share the sentiment that the Majority Party should produce the leadership of the House even though I am of the PDP.
“Whatever you are seeing now will calm down and at the end, Nigeria will get the best out of it. So, there is no cause for alarm because it is all politics.
“Contest is free and anyone is free to contest, but my simple opinion is that the majority party, the APC with the highest number of Members-elect should produce the leadership. It’s an APC affair and I believe that they should be allowed to produce the leadership of the 10th Assembly,” he noted.
