The leading Speakership candidate for the incoming 10th House of Representatives,Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has pledged to ensure that there is unity and cohesion among members of the House should he gets elected as the number 1 presiding officer come June 13, 2023.
Recall that Hon. Abbas, was announced as preferred choice for the position of Speaker alongside his colleague and House Spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu who was also endorsed for the Deputy Speakership position by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, May 8, 2023.
Addressing the outgoing Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt on Friday during a courtesy/consultative visit, Abbas who was accompanied by members of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, a coalition of the 8 political parties that won seats in the incoming, thanked the Governor for supporting the APC in the Presidential election of February 25, 2023.
He therefore assured that he would do all within his power to bring about unity in the House under his leadership in conjunction with his deputy if they are successful on June 13.
He commended governor Wike for “doing the right thing during the last election, just as he noted that the members-elect from Rivers State were on board with him.
He said the next administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu needs a stable Parliament to perform.
He solicited for Wike’s support to be able to clinch the speakership position come June 13.
Responding, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom declared total support for Hon. Abbas and Hon. Benjamin Kalu as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the incoming 10th House of Representatives.
Wike said he would work assiduously to make sure that the duo emerge victorious, adding that all the 13 members-elect from Rivers State with the exception of one, are with Abbas and Kalu 100 percent.
Wike also said that the 2015 scenario where members that went against their party emerged as leaders of the National Assembly would not repeat itself.
“I want to say here that I am with you fully. You know I do my things in the open. When Chinda told me that you’re coming here, I said there was no need because I am with you fully. All our members are with you, except one, who is doing something else.
“2015 won’t repeat itself. Let me tell you, I’ll leave office on Monday, and once I leave, we’ll start the campaign fully.
“I urge all of you to support Abbas. Don’t support him in the day and do something else in the night. You should support him fully.”
Wike added that the fact that a president or governor indicates interest on whom to work with as the head of the Legislature does not in any way mean total control over the Parliament.
He said even in advanced democracies, presidents indicate interest in whom to work with in the Legislature for smooth running of government.
Also, the chairman of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, while speaking earlier noted that Abbas is the most decorated lawmaker in Nigeria’s history as far as bills sponsorship is concerned.
He stressed that out of the 74 Bills Rt. Hon. Abbas sponsored in the last four years, 2q were signed into law. He said the Zaria representative had the right character, composure, integrity and tenacity to become the next Speaker.
