There are indications that the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, has settled for Tajudeen Abbas and Ben Kalu as speaker and deputy speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, a move that leaves the North-central zone out of the top six positions.

Mr Abbas, a lawmaker from Kaduna State North-west, was picked as the preferred candidate during a meeting held on Friday afternoon at the Defence House, the official residence of the president-elect it was learnt.

Mr Kalu, a lawmaker from Abia State, South-east, was picked to balance what has now become a joint ticket.

Indications emerged on Friday that Mr Tinubu has also settled for Godswill Akpabio from Akwa-Ibom, South-south, and Barau Jibrin from Kano State, North-west, as senate president and deputy senate president respectively.

With Mr Tinubu from the South-west and his running mate, Kashim Shettima from North-east—the presiding offices were expected to be zoned to the remaining four geopolitical zones.

However, Mr Tinubu and his party have now zoned the Speaker and deputy senate president to the North-west, while the South-south and South-east now have senate president and deputy speaker respectively.

As things stand, there are still several aspirants in the race for the speakership but it’s unclear if they will agree to step down.

One of the aspirants from North-central, told PREMIUM TIMES on the condition of anonymity that he will not step down for anyone.

He said his consultation with leaders of the Labour Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Governor Bala Mohammed and others gives him confidence that he will win the election scheduled for 13 June.

Other aspirants like Deputy Speaker Idris Wase (Plateau), Yusuf Gagdi (Plateau), Sada Soli (Katsina), Muktar Betara (Borno) Tunji Olawuyi (Kwara), Abubakar Makki (Jigawa), Aminu Jaji (APC, Zamfara), Ado Doguwa (Kano) and Miriam Onuoha ( Imo) are yet to react to the development.

Also, several other lawmakers have indicated interest in the deputy speaker position. They include Chinedu Ogah (Ebonyi), Adewumi Onanuga (Ogun), Tolulope Akande-Sadipe (Oyo) and Francis Waive (Delta).

LordKushmann:
Obiriwonu.. Kedi ihe anyị ga-eme??

Ndi Igbo tetanu n'ura na njọ e jula n'elu uwa.

The world still tilts on a half balance and until all is restored, no sort of compensation would suffice. Same old results. Same old wine, different skins.

LivingSage:
Are you scared of saying what you said in language we all understand

Be a man

LivingSage:
It's ONLY painful North Central is not considered here.

LordKushmann:


Nigeria as presently constituted is a country of about 500+ ethnicities. If everyone isn't given a level playing field catering to their own unique cultural realities, the people inside of it playing the waiting game will see themselves on the wrong side of the fence in the nearest future.

Flathead8:
NC will have APC chairman and SGF

LivingSage:
This is Politics, you only reap where you sow

LivingSage:
It's ONLY painful North Central is not considered here.

Nairalander248:
What if Obi is declared President tomorrow??

Joyce3:
It should be given to igbos

LordKushmann:
Obiriwonu.. Kedi ihe anyị ga-eme??

Ndi Igbo tetanu n'ura na njọ e jula n'elu uwa.

The world still tilts on a half balance and until all is restored, no sort of compensation would suffice. Same old results. Same old wine, different skins.

press9jatv:
Idris Wase from the north central region will emerge as the 10th speaker of House of Representatives. Infact the opposition MHR elect will choose him as the speaker of the House of Representatives

DeadCountry:
Very good news. All those foolish useful idiot Igbos that led ndi'Igbo into the useless nonsense called election to legitimize nigeria should be served it hot. Igbos must not be given any meaningful post, in fact, Tinubu should be more ruthless with impunity than Buhari in his power sharing to teach a lesson the foolish Igbos that went to vote when we warned them against voting in nigeria. Ndi ara everywhere.

Felabrity:
The South South and South East senators that were flocking around tinubu and dick riding him are in severe pains

Nairalander248:
What if Obi is declared President tomorrow??