NASS Speakership race: I will not step down, only female aspirant vows

THE only female aspirant for the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the ninth National Assembly, Mrs Nkiruka Onyejeocha, representing Iskwuato/ Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, has vowed never to step down under whatever guise, from the race.

Fielding questions from news men in Abuja on the rumour that she had stepped down from the race or was negotiating for other positions, the lawmaker dismissed the insinuation, describing it as false and aimed at destabilising her ever swelling camp.

According to her, “you can see things for yourselves now that 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. I’m in the race to win with the support 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 fourth time. I was also the chairperson of a committee on Aviation that played roles in the modernisation of the nation’s airports among others.”

Speaking on the endorsement of Mr Femi Gbajabiamila by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and by some groups and individuals.

Onyejeocha said that she was not worried about the amount of endorsements of other aspirants in the media.

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She declared that as a politician, she was aware that endorsement did not translate to votes.

According to her, “there is time, those that have endorsed 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 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.

“I’m 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 stated.

The lawmaker expressed optimism that with the support coming from her colleagues from other zones, she would emerge victorious in the race independently without the help of any godfather.

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.