Some
members-elect of the 8th House of Representatives have dissociated
themselves from the gale of endorsements to elect the speaker of the
House.
Members of the group, mostly of the All
Progressives Congress (APC), and some from the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) under the auspices of ‘The New House of Reps Members Forum’, said
yesterday in Abuja that despite their respect for party supremacy, they
would abide by the provisions of the constitution to elect their
leaders.
Convener of the forum Mohammed Mahmud, who was elected to represent Agaie/Lapai Federal Constituency of Niger State and Mark Terseer Gbillah who will represent Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency of Benue State, who spoke on behalf of others, said they would resist attempt to foist anyone on them.
“We want to express our displeasure with the current spate of unconfirmed endorsements and rebuttals by supporters of different speakership aspirants on the pages of newspapers and other media. We appreciate the invariable inclination of members to certain aspirants but will like to appeal for all honourable members-elect to show the highest level of decorum and sportsmanship in the hallowed process of election of the speaker and his deputy,” they said.
Quoting the constitution, Gbillah said: “Chapter V, Part I, 50(1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly indicates that, ‘There shall be a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.”
Mahmud on his part commended the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, for statesmanship and respect for constitutional provisions by refusing to get entangled in zoning candidate preference and urged party leaders across board to emulate him.
He also said they are proposing an interactive dialogue/debate between aspirants and members-elect where members would have the opportunity to acquaint themselves with each aspirant and their agenda for the House in line with legislative responsibilities and the desires of Nigerians.
Convener of the forum Mohammed Mahmud, who was elected to represent Agaie/Lapai Federal Constituency of Niger State and Mark Terseer Gbillah who will represent Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency of Benue State, who spoke on behalf of others, said they would resist attempt to foist anyone on them.
“We want to express our displeasure with the current spate of unconfirmed endorsements and rebuttals by supporters of different speakership aspirants on the pages of newspapers and other media. We appreciate the invariable inclination of members to certain aspirants but will like to appeal for all honourable members-elect to show the highest level of decorum and sportsmanship in the hallowed process of election of the speaker and his deputy,” they said.
Quoting the constitution, Gbillah said: “Chapter V, Part I, 50(1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly indicates that, ‘There shall be a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.”
Mahmud on his part commended the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, for statesmanship and respect for constitutional provisions by refusing to get entangled in zoning candidate preference and urged party leaders across board to emulate him.
He also said they are proposing an interactive dialogue/debate between aspirants and members-elect where members would have the opportunity to acquaint themselves with each aspirant and their agenda for the House in line with legislative responsibilities and the desires of Nigerians.
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