Ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, members of the opposition political parties in the House of Representatives have expressed their readiness to install one of their own to occupy the seat of the Speaker of the House.

Yesterday, newly-elected and returning members of the House, led by Fred Agbedi, met at Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja to fine-tune the strategy aimed at achieving the goal.

The lawmakers, numbering 163, are of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Young Progressive Party (YPP).

They said that they already have the “greater majority” since they already outnumber the ruling APC with 162 seats, notwithstanding the remaining 33 seats that is up for grab in the supplementary elections holding on April 15, 2023.

Agbedi (Bayelsa: PDP), who congratulated the newly-elected members over their electoral feat, noted that the new-found strength of members of the opposition would surely deepen democratic rule in the country.

Also, Mrs. Beni Lar (Plateau: PDP) said it was a source of joy to see the opposition with the majority in the 10th National Assembly, adding that it was incumbent on her colleagues to close ranks to actualise their objective of providing the leadership of the House.

Abdulmumini Jibrin (Kano: NNPP), who spoke in the same vein, urged the lawmakers to protect the common goal of checkmating the APC in the House, notwithstanding the ideologies of their respective political parties.

For Ali Madaki (Kano: NNPP): “Our unity is paramount. God in his wisdom has given us the number. Even with remaining election for the 30 or 33 seats, we will sustain it. Let’s set aside our selfish interests. We believe that with good leadership, we will control the House of Representatives and ensure peace and security, as well as protection of life and property of Nigerians.”

Jonathan Gbwefi (Nasarawa: SDP) urged his colleagues to take a cue from the ants, which remain, great achievers, because they move in one formation.

“It’s not about being united but about identifying a common goal. We have the capacity to do that,” he stressed.

(The Guardian)

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