16th May, 2023
By EricJames Ochigbo
The House Minority Forum has endorsed Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively.
This is stated in a communiqué issued on Monday evening at the conclusion of its inaugural meeting in Abuja.
Although the All Progressives Congress (APC) had previously approved the two MPs, other contenders and civil society groups (CSOs) have expressed strong objection to the decision.
In the communiqué, the Forum’s Chairman, Mr. Idu Igariwey, stated that the Forum had resolved to play a significant role in the creation of the 10th Assembly’s leadership.
Igariwey stated that the forum made the decision following extensive discussions with all candidates for the seats of speaker and deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.
“We hereby resolve to support the duo of the Mr Tajudeen Abbas and Mr Benjamin Kalu respectively, as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“We have found in the two persons leadership that will allow for fairness, equity, as well as provide equal platform for all political parties represented in Parliament to have a say in the running of the legislature and expression of alternate views on issues of public interest.
“In the next few days, we will be meeting in a larger caucus of the minority parties to discuss and formalise the adoption of the speaker and deputy Speaker designates of the 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives,” he said.
He urged all members-elect of the 10th assembly of the house, to join in the election of Abbas and Kalu as presiding officers of the house on June 13.
NAN