Opposition lawmakers pledge to align with APC on house of reps leadership

Eight political parties that won seats in the house of representatives say they will cooperate with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the zoning of the speaker and deputy speaker positions.

The reps-elect expressed the commitment on Tuesday at the inauguration of a coalition in Abuja.

Christened ‘Joint Task – 10th Assembly’, the political parties involved are the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Young Progressive Party (YPP).

Bello Kumo (APC, Gombe) and Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) are the co-chairpersons of the coalition while Aliyu Madaki is the secretary.

Speaking at the event, Kumo said the lawmakers are committed to promoting stability in the 10th national assembly.

Kumo said although the coalition has no preferred candidate for the office of speaker and deputy speaker, they will support the zoning proposal of the ruling party.

“The Joint Task – 10th Assembly seeks to, among others, promote the independence of the legislature, inter-dependence of the legislature and executive, legislation for good governance and grassroots impact, constituency outreach, equity and fairness among ranking and new members, as well as ensuring unity, equity and fairness in the emergence of presiding and principal officers in line with best parliamentary practice,” he said.

“Our driving force is Nigeria’s unity and the stability of the 10th house of representatives.

“In ensuring the above, we have resolved to go by the decision of the majority party, which is the APC, in deciding which zones produce the speaker and the deputy speaker.

“We believe that the APC would do the right thing and once the zoning is done, we would decide on the next line of action. We would be guided by capacity, competence, experience and other leadership qualities.

“However, as of today, ladies and gentlemen, we do not have any preferred aspirants for the office of speaker and deputy speaker. But we note that a number of our colleagues, all of whom are eminently qualified, have declared their interest in the seat of the speaker.

“Our message to Nigerians at this point is that we are ready to work for the betterment of our country and the citizens. To achieve that, we have to work harmoniously with the executive arm, without compromising our independence.

“Let me emphasise in conclusion that our concern is Nigeria’s Unity and the Stability of the 10th House of Representatives. I thank you very much for your time, and we hope you will work with us to make our country better.”

Kumo did not disclose the number of members-elect that make up the forum.

‘WE WON’T BE RUBBERSTAMP’ 

Madaki, a member-elect on the NNPP platform, said the coalition “won’t be a rubberstamp”.

“What we want to do is to bring harmonious relationships between the executive and the legislature,” he said.

“I want to state very clearly, we are not going to be a rubber stamp to anybody. But we intend to do what is the world’s best practice. We recognise the fact that anywhere you go in the world, the party with the majority produces who will be the presiding officer.

“For someone like me who is a member of the minority party, I will assure Nigerians that we will provide a robust opposition but we will do it in a way and manner that will add value to the Nigerian people.”