Countdown to the June 6 inauguration of the House of Representatives, two groups from the North have indicated that they would support Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila to be the next Speaker of the 8th Assembly of the House.

This is as the House Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Pa[b][/b]rty (PDP) denied that it had endorsed one of the candidates seeking the Speakership position.

Equally, one of the aspirants for the position of Speaker, Hon. Abdulmumini Jibrin, has reiterated that he was still in the race and was the only candidate to beat.

The northern groups under the auspices of the Northern Youths Political Merger Group and the Northern Youths Forum for Democracy stated that they backed the aspiration of Gbajabiamila in view of the overwhelming support that the South-West gave to the President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.


Outlining the qualities that stands Gbajabiamila out from the remaining contestants, coordinator of the groups Hon. Musa Mujahid Zaitawa, said it would be inconceivable and a great disservice to the nation if the Lagos lawmaker was not elected as Speaker of the House.
"The youths from northern Nigeria have resolved to support the South West in the contest for Speakership of the House as a reward of their immense contribution to the victory of APC without which the story might have been different," the group noted in a statement.


It observed that: "Any attempt, therefore, by whatsoever Group, Forum or Organisation that claims to have taken decision against the Northern Youths interest and decision of supporting the South West for the position of Speakership is baseless and unfounded."


The groups unanimously appealed to the party to zone the Speakership of the House to the South West "Without hesitation or fear of complaint, taking into account the reasons mentioned above."


"We really believe that any one can contest for Speakership of the House from whatsoever region but that, as far as we are concerned, it is against the Northern Youths decision and arrangement. We call on our elected members House of Representatives, especially the ones from the north, to, as a matter of fact, look for a candidate that can deliver and the one that has the necessary qualities to occupy the seat."


Meanwhile, in the wake of a claim by Hon Sam Okwu, a PDP member, that the party caucus had endorsed Hon Yakubu Dogara to be the next Speaker of the House, Hon. Teejay Yusuf, a member-elect, representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency of Kogi State, debunked the claim on behalf of the caucus in a statement made available to THISDAY.


According to the group, it was too early and improper to fly such a kite. "Such hasty and invalid speculations appear to have been given some mileage by the lone voice of one of our members who recently expressed sentiments in favour of one of the candidates.


"We hereby unequivocally state that our Caucus has not endorsed anyone for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives."


The Caucus said it would place premium on being an active opposition "With clear focus on and mission to sustain Nigeria’s democracy while exercising a dynamic presence in the polity," pledging to grant audience to all the aspirants for the position of Speaker.


In a related development, Jibrin, referring to a recent statement by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the President-elect, said his chances were brighter unless the All Progressives Congress (APC) decided to ratify the zoning formula that would exclude him from contesting.
“It is a known fact that only if I am zoned out, under a free and fair contest, I will win with landslide margin the 8th Assembly Speakership election, none of the aspirants can match my popularity or provide the needed compatibility with the Incoming President to execute the needed reforms and deliver on our campaign promises like myself,” he said in a statement.


Tags: News, Nigeria, Featured, Speakership
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/groups-back-gbajabiamila-for-speakership-as-pdp-caucus-kicks/209466/

No problem.

You people should continue looting Nigeria.