The only female aspirant for the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Ninth National Assembly, Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha representing Iskwuato/ Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State on Thursday vowed never to step down under whatever guise.
Fielding questions with news men in Abuja yesterday on the rumour making the round that she had finally stepped down from the race or negotiating for other positions, the law maker dismissed such insinuation, describing it as false aimed at destabilizing her ever swelling camp.
According to her, “you can see things for yourselves now, I’m still very much in the race, that rumour is the handiwork of my detractors who see me as a threat to their ambition because of my rising profile in the contest.”
“I’m not ready to be a stooge to anybody, so, am in the race independently to win with the supports of my colleagues from all the six geo-political zones of the country.”
“My legislative experience speaks volumes, I will be representing my constituency for the forth time, chairperson of sensitive committee of Aviation that played roles in the modernization of the nation’s airports, l have been participating actively in other committed and many others.”
Speaking on the endorsement of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and by some groups and individuals, Hon. Onyejeocha said that she was not worried about the amount of endorsements of other aspirants in the media.
She said as a politician, she was aware that endorsement does not translate to votes.
According to her, “there is time, those that have endowed one person or the other can still change their minds, life is about change and people can change their minds on the day of the election.”
Hon. Onyejeocha said that it was still possible for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to consider all the agitations and issues put forward to move Nigeria to the next level and change its position on the zoning.
“Am not here to bargain for less, I have what it takes to be the Speaker of the 9th Assembly, the Zone, South-East should not be denied this ample opportunity,” she declared.
The law maker expressed optimism that with the supports coming from her colleagues from other zones she would emerge victorious in the race independently without godfatherism now in vogue with promise never to let them down if given the opportunity.
This is coming just as women groups led by gender activist, Miss Esther Uzoma stormed the National Assembly to protest in support of an emergence of female Speaker in the next dispensation.
The group armed with the posters of the Abia State female Aspirant, Nkerikuka Onyejeocha and placards insisted that the solution to the various challenges facing the country now was a female Speaker in the ninth national assembly.
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