Reps Speaker: SE group backs Gbajabiamila over Nwajiuba

A group identified as South East Consultative Initiative (SECI) has backed the leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila for the position of Speaker.

The group who stated this in a statement signed by it’s National President, Comrade Nnaji Paschal and Secretary, Dr. Offia Sunday at the end of its Saturday General meeting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State noted that Gbajabiamila has all it takes to oversee a viable and responsive House of Representatives required to take the country to the next level.

The group described Gbajabiamila as a team player and selfless politician with the requisite knowledge to pilot the affairs of the 9th House of Representatives.

They further stated that though Nwajiuba is a ranking member by virtue of having been in the House from 1999 to 2003, he may not have the required knowledge to lead the house.

They, however, dissociated themselves from the Speakership ambition of Mr. Emeka Nwajiuba, stressing that Nwajiuba is not a member of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC and thus should not be given the position.

Recall that Nwajiuba defeated incumbent Chike Okafor to clinch the Ehimembano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo /Okigwe South Federal Constituency seat and he got his certificate of return Monday in Abuja from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The humane and selfless way he took his failed bid for the plum job in 2015 is still fresh in our minds. He humbled himself to take the House Leader position and worked harmoniously with Speaker Yakubu Dogara and by so doing reunited the House.”

“We feel that having made such sacrifice for the interest of peace and development of the House and the country at large, it is now time for his colleagues to reward him for his sacrifices by electing him to lead them.”

“He is not even from the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but from the Accord Party.”

“Its been 16 years since he was last in the house, his knowledge of the inner workings of the house as regards lawmaking and management of the house will be at best minimal and at the other extreme archaic and outdated.”

“The art of lawmaking like other facets of human endeavor is ever evolving and one fears that Mr. Nwajiuba may not be in tune with the recent techniques and innovations in lawmaking even though he may be a ranking member.”

“Gbajabiamila, on the other hand, is an institution when it comes to experience in the National Assembly, having been part of the leadership of the 8th House of Representatives which is rounding up,” the group said.