A few days before the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, anointed candidates for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, have received the endorsements and support of 106 out of 141 members-elect from the country’s North-West and North-Central geopolitical zones.
While 72 of the 92 North-West lawmakers-elect supported Abbas and Kalu, 32 of the 51 North-Central members-elect did not.
The declaration of support occurred during separate meetings held on Wednesday in Abuja by the North-West and North-Central members-elect, which included all states on a zonal basis.
The South-South and North-East zones are scheduled to meet this Wednesday evening, while the South-East and South-West zones will meet on Thursday.
Briefing journalists on the progress made thus far, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the Communication Adviser to the Tajudeen-Ben Kalu Group, TBK, and lawmaker-elect for Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, described the success as a victory for the ongoing quest to build a stable, strong, united, harmonious, and all-inclusive parliament that will deliver on life-changing people’s legislation that will help to deliver on the president
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According to him, the massive support from all zones as well as ethnic and religious divides was clear evidence of members’ commitment to seeing Nigeria progress and an indication of a significant buy-in to the Abbas and Kalu message of unity and competence rooted in inclusiveness and teamwork.
Ugochinyere cited Abbas and Kalu’s legislative competence and capacity, as well as their unwavering outreach and door-to-door engagement with members-elect, as reasons for the widespread acceptance.
He stated that the Abbas/Kalu commitment to a people’s 10th National Assembly leadership was undeniable, as evidenced by the duo’s willingness to carry every member along in the quest to deliver on the agenda for a people’s parliament that will aid in the realisation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
According to him, Abbas and Kalu’s team spirit and unity in the leadership race are the first of their kind, with a Speaker and Deputy Speaker running together with a clear agenda for the members and the country.
As a result, he urged other aspirants to abandon their ambitions and join the duo in delivering a people-centered 10th National Assembly.
He expressed optimism that Abbas and Kalu’s commitment will help deliver President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda while also ensuring a functioning and independent parliament, which endeared them to the lawmakers-elect, who agree that the 10th NASS requires competent leadership with team spirit, unity, and inclusivity, which the duo represents.
“After Abbas and Kalu presented their roadmap to the lawmakers-elect from the two regions, they rose in their various zonal engagements with them and resolved to vote for the duo overwhelmingly.” They praised Abbas and Kalu’s legislative competence, which saw them move over 100 bills that have already been signed into law, and said the 10th NASS couldn’t afford to overlook such men with iroko-style legislative capacity rooted in teamwork, inclusiveness, and humility.
“They admired Abbas and Kalu’s unwavering engagement with lawmakers who held opposing views to whom they reached out, and extending hands of fellowship is something to be commended.” With a flood of endorsements pouring in from all directions, the odds are stacked in their favour come June 13th.
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“At the moment, 106 out of 141 lawmakers-elect from North West and North Central (72 out of 92 North West zone lawmakers and 32 out of 51 North Central lawmakers) have declared their support at the ongoing zonal caucuses meeting convened by Abass and Kalu.”
“In the coming days, we are optimistic that more members-elect will declare their support for the duo,” he said.
