The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Idris Ahmed Wase on Friday evening formally declared his intention to run for the speakership of the incoming 10th assembly in Abuja which was attended by other six aspirants.
The aspirants in attendance were Hon Mukhtar Betara of Borno State; Hon Jaji from Zamfara State; Hon Sada Soli (Katsina State); Hon Princess Mariam Onouha of Imo State and Hon. Yusuf Gagdi from Plateau State.
Speaking, the Deputy Speaker declared that he was in the race to win so as to evolve a virile and truly independent legislature to further deepen the nation’s democracy.
Hon Wase who unfolded his 10 point Agenda said that it eventually elected the Speaker, his administration would focus on general orientation and image rebranding of the National Assembly; ensuring a true people’s parliament; creating an efficient and innovative parliament; approaching nation-building as a joint task irrespective of the political affiliation, tribe or religion; strong and independent parliament; law and order and strong legislative oversight.
Others include security, fiscal discipline and economic prosperity, social welfare schemes and programmes.
According to him “Generally speaking, my conduct will be motivated by an avowed commitment to National integration to build a society where justice reigns.
“We need to build on the successes recorded so far within the context of national laws and support Nigerian international commitments that seek to promote national interest and welfare of all Nigerian citizens”.
Wase who represents the Wase federal constituency of Plateau State recalled that since the return of democracy in 1999, the north central geo-political zone where he hails from has not produced a speaker.
He appealed to the power brokers to cede the position to the North zone, adding that it was his turn.
“It must also be noted that it is only the North Central in the entire country that has not produced the Speaker in 24 years after the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999.
“Fellow Nigerians, Nigeria is built on the supremacy of the law and the sacredness of the Constitution for justice to reign and to keep the peace in the country.
“It is on the strength of this that I offer myself to contest and serve as the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th Assembly in clear deference to Nigerian constitutional provision and with your full support and understanding of Nigerians so that the journey we began together a long time ago can continue to prosper.
“At this point, I will use the words of my leader, emilokan emilokan, emilokan”, Wase said.
In their goodwill messages, the Six other aspirants said that they came around to “support the campaign of our deputy speaker” in their determination to protect democracy.
Hon Betara on his own said “Members-elect, aspirants, I came here to appreciate my brother, the deputy speaker and others for finding time to attend my declaration. I have known the deputy speaker since 2007 and we have been together since then.
For us forming a group, we are not fighting, we are all APC members. A consensus candidate can be picked but we must sit and say this is the person we have picked to lead us. I assure all my colleagues, members-elect, and former members, we are not going to fight. We are going to agree to support one of us as speaker”.
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