Ahead of the inauguration of the incoming National Assembly, newly-elected members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday commenced moves that will ensure that the next lower chamber witness, peace and unity.

While promising to make a difference in the incoming legislature by charting course for excellence while breaking down possible barriers, they pledge to look forward to developing and expanding working relationships, agreements and proposing solutions to common challenges.

The Convener of “New House of Reps Members Forum”, Mohammed Mahmud, who has just been elected under the platform of All Progressives Congress to represent Agaie/Lapai Federal Constituency of Niger State, said in Abuja that through the forum, the new legislators would possibly discover many other broader ranges of issues that will impact the House, thereby setting the pace for a unified House ready to hit the ground running.

According to him, the forum would be used to provide an opportunity for elected members in the Federal House of Representatives to build relationships, share ideas, information, concerns, create solidarity, and develop collaborative agreements on a wide variety of issues relevant to legislators.

Mahmud stated that there was need to ensure equity and fairness and promote solidarity in the new House.

He added that the issue of killing of bills because they were sponsored by members of another political party would not arise in the new chamber through the forum.

“From my experience as a veteran in the National Assembly, having served in various capacities since the fourth republic, it is my desire to ensure that the incoming members understand the politics and operations in the House.

“Members will without doubt come to find that they have mutual concerns. Through this secretariat, we intend to create an avenue where these reservations, issues and doubts can be thrashed out.

“Legislators will possibly discover that many other broader ranges of issues that will impact the house will originate and be discussed, thereby setting the pace for a unified House ready to hit the ground running.

“It is our hope that this secretariat and possible forums we would subsequently hold will transcend the usual game of partisan politics and fixed ideologies.

“We intend to make a difference in this new house by charting the course for excellence and breaking down barriers.

“We look forward to developing and expanding working relationships, agreements, and proposing solutions to common challenges in this secretariat,” he said.

•Photo shows Mohammed Mahmud.

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