The number of members-elect supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) concensus candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the incoming 10th House of Representatives, Abbas Tajuddeen and Benjamin Kalu respectively have risen to over 290 as all the 55 members-elect from the South-South endorse their ticket.
The endorsement followed the stepping down of two topmost contenders for the seat, Mukhtar Betara and Yusuf Adamu Gagdi on Sunday.
According to Abbas/Kalu campaign office was announced during a meeting held by the South-South Caucus of the members-elect at the residence of Nicholas Mutu (PDP,Delta) in Abuja Sunday night.
Members of the South-South Caucus were drawn from the six states of the geopolitical zone which include; Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers except two attended the meeting.
In a remark during the meeting a member of the Caucus who is the South-South zonal coordinator of the Joint Task-10th Assembly, Unyime Idem said, the zone has decided to key into the vision and agenda of the Abbas/Kalu ticket, being spearheaded vby the Joint Task–10th Assembly Coalition.
He said, “I consider it a great privilege welcoming our incoming Speaker and Deputy by the grace of God. As a coordinator of the Joint Task it gives me pleasure to announce to your Excellencies that we have 55 out 55 members of the South South Caucus who have penned their signatures in support of the joint ticket”.
Speaking, the co-chairman of the Joint Task–10th Assembly, Usman Bello Kumo (APC, Gombe), thanked Idem for his leadership in the course of the campaign.
He said, “This 55-over-55 is something we are not surprised, given the level of support we have enjoyed from key members of the Caucus including yourself who have been with us in this journey right from the start.
On his part, the APC Speakership concensus candidate, Abbas Tajuddeen commended the South-South members on the pivotal role they played in the idea behind his Speakership ambition.
He said, “I have come here to tonight to say thank you, thank you to people that love me. I have been to many regions in the country where I’ve been shown love, but that which I have experienced from the South South in the course of this journey has been something else”.
Also speaking, the APC Deputy Speakership candidate, Benjamin Kalu expressed his gratitude to the zonal Caucus for believing in their struggle to institutionalise a legislature anchored on the principles of equity and inclusiveness.
He said, “What we started like a mustard seed has germinated and grown to this level of acceptance and support from our brothers and sisters across the regions of the country”, he said.
