‘For fairness and equity’ — Coalition says a Christian from south-south should be deputy speaker

The Progressive Parliamentary Support Alliance (PPSA), a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs), says members-elect should choose a Christian from the south-south as the deputy speaker.

In a statement on Thursday, Bala Mohammed and Boboye Akinrefon, chairman and secretary of the coalition, said Francis Waive, a lawmaker from Delta, is best suited for the position.

The coalition said Christians should have adequate representation in the leadership of the lower legislative chamber.

“We wish to put on record that we are not opposed to the choice of a Muslim speaker in the 10th Assembly, but we wish to unequivocally demand religious balancing, especially among the two principal officers — speaker and deputy speaker,” the statement reads.

“This becomes very germane to the principles of fairness and equity. Recall that Nigerians and the Christian community took it in good faith when the leadership of APC resorted to the Muslim-Muslim joint ticket in the 9th Assembly.

“It is very expedient to point out that with the Muslim-Muslim joint ticket which was replicated with the choice of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kasim Shettima, the parliament should reflect religious balancing.

“From a series of assessments carried out on all the three geo-political zones – South south, South west and South east, we can attest to the character and personality of Honourable Reverend Francis Waive as the man fit for the job.”

The coalition said Waive has the capacity to provide support for whosoever is nominated as the speaker in the 10th assembly.