The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, made up of 182 Members-elect from seven opposition parties, has expressed its determination to prevent the All Progressives Congress (APC) from dominating the leadership positions of the 10th Assembly.
According to reports from their meeting in Abuja, the Members-elect decided to sponsor a South-South lawmaker and North West for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively.
In a statement issued by the Caucus’ spokesman, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, he explained that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empowers every Member-elect to contest for any position, subject to the Standing Orders of the House.
Hon. Ogene further stated that every member is entitled to run for the office of Speaker, regardless of political party affiliation, and that issues surrounding this question can be easily resolved by Section 50(1)(b) of the House of Representatives, which states that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.
