Southeast members of the House of Reps endorse Tinubu's two leadership candidates

LAWMAKERS from across the southeast geo-political zone have decided to back the two Federal House of Representatives leadership candidates put forward by the All Progressives Congress (APC) with 35 out of the 42 members-elect opting to support them.

Over the last month, president-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has been involved in a series of meetings with members of both houses of the National Assembly, where the APC has agreed on the leaders of the two chambers. Senator Godswill Akpabio from Akwa Ibom State has been agreed upon as the senate president, while Hon Abbas Tajudeen from Kaduna State has been adopted as the speaker of the House of Representatives.

Hon Benjamin Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State, has been adopted as the candidate for deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. Yesterday, 35 of the 42 members of the House of Representatives from across the southeast agreed to support Hon Abbas Tajudeen and Hon Benjamin Kalu as the speaker and deputy speaker respectively.

Hon Igariwey Iduma Enwo, the deputy chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, said the endorsement list was an ongoing one and her was sure that the remaining lawmakers would sign up to it too. Hon Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the communications adviser to the Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu Campaign Group, said the lawmakers-elect made the decision by choosing to support the duo as the APC anointed candidates.

According to Hon Ugochinyere, who is also a member-elect for Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, the ruling party’s zoning arrangement is one that ensures equity and fairness. While noting that Abbas and Kalu’s detribalised nature, competence and admirable qualities were the reasons behind endless endorsements, he expressed optimism that the remaining eight lawmakers-elect from southeast would sign the endorsement document.

Hon Ugochinyere said: “President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress national leadership, having taken a look at the true reflection of our society and knowing the importance of inclusivity, chose the southeast for the deputy speakership position. So, for inclusiveness, for the unity of the country, for everybody to be carried along, I see no reason any member-elect or Nigerian with conscience will say, southeast should not be given this position.

“So I commend my brothers from the southeast for making the right decision. Apart from zoning, Abbas and Kalu are the most competent amongst all contestants to preside over the affairs of the Green Chamber."