Rep-elect, Inuwa Garba (PDP-Gombe), has endorsed Rep. Aliyu Betara (APC-Borno) for the Speakership of the 10th National Assembly.
Garba, a former Speaker of Gombe State House of Assembly said this on the sideline of the induction of members-elect at the International Conference Centre, in Abuja on Monday.
“Most of us believe that Betara has the leadership quality to give to Nigerians what we want in the 10th House of Representatives,” he said.
He said that the election of the speaker that would preside over plenary should be based on track record, experience and commitment.
“Nigeria is already in a serious problem and to come out of this problem start and end with having good leadership.
“Once many of us from the opposition party see reason to team up with somebody from the ruling party, you should know that such a person will be committed,” he said.
He said that such person would have the will to carry all members along irrespective of party affiliation, saying that this would also come with a good understanding of the tenets legislature.
He added that the ultimate beneficiary of such relationship would be the executive arm of government.
“Majority of us in the Greater Majority group have endorsed Betara for the position and I can assure you that if today, we go in for the contest, Betara will be the Speaker.
” His Speakership will be the gain of Nigerians. For somebody to choose a Speaker for us is a miss normal, undemocratic and unconstitutional.
” We will vote for the person that will do justice to Nigerians and I can assure you that the next Speaker of the House is Betara.
Also speaking, Rep Cyril Hart (PDP- Rivers), said the constitution was clear on the procedure that should be adopted for election of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly.
“I share the sentiment that the majority party should produce the leadership of the House even though I am of the PDP,” he said.
“The contest is free and anyone is free to contest, but my simple opinion is that the majority party, the APC with the highest number of members elect should produce the leadership,” he said.
He said the contest was an APC affair and they should be allowed to produce the leadership of the 10th Assembly.
“So, whatever they are doing is their business, I am only praying that the best emerges, what you are seeing is politics.
“The dust will settle and at the end of the day, Nigerians will get the best. So, no course for alarm,” he said.
