By Goodluck Ikiebe
Ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, Opposition political parties in Ebonyi state have called on the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the office of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to southeast and specifically micro-zone it to Ebonyi state.
The Chairman of the Coalition Of United Political Parties (CUPP) in Ebonyi state, Engr. Chinedum Elekwachi, made the call during a news conference in the nations capital, Abuja on Friday.
Engr. Elekwachi said that every other person’s that have indicated intention to aspire for one office or the other ahead of the inauguration of the 10th assembly is qualified judging from the standing order of the national assembly but stressed that in the interest of fairness and inclusivity, the office should be zoned to Southeast.
The CUPP chairman presented the member Representing Ezza South and Ikwo Federal Constituency, Rt Hon Chinedu Ogah, as the mostly qualified person for the job describing him as a team player, legislative maestro and goal getter, who he said will help to stabilize the house to serve the interest of Nigerians.
The statement read in parts “the Coalition Of United Political Parties (CUPP) Ebonyi state with keen interest has followed developments, horse trading and alignments leading to the inauguration of the 10th National assembly and election of its presiding officers”.
“CUPP notes the number of high profiled legislators, who has made known their intentions of becoming Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker, House Of Representatives and Deputy Speaker House Of Representatives”
“We confirm that these high profile legislators are qualified by their personal achievements and ranking giving that the standing order of the National assembly permits ranking legislators to aspire for presiding offices”.
“We understand the stake of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the ruling party in deciding how the principal offices will be distributed according to geopolitical zones, it is on this premise that the Coalition Of United Political Parties (CUPP) Ebonyi state is calling on the leadership of the APC to cede the office of the Deputy Speaker of the House Of Representatives of the 10th National assembly to Southeast”.
“Specifically, the office of Deputy Speaker House Of Representatives should be zoned to southeast and micro-zoned to Ebonyi State in the spirit of Equity, Fairness and Inclusiveness”.
“Understandably, positions in political parties are given as compensations for support to the party and undoubtedly, Ebonyi state in southeast has given massive support to the APC starting from the days of its formation. In 2015, Ebonyi state gave the APC Presidential candidate, who is the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari the highest vote in southeast and in similar vein in 2019 delivered 25% vote to the APC which was repeated again in 2023”.
“While we are total in our call on the National Leadership of APC and the President Elect to cede this office to Ebonyi state, we present the member Representing Ezza South And Ikwo Federal Constituency, Rt Hon. Chinedu Nweke Ogah, as the rightful man for the job”
“Members Elect of the 10th House Of Representatives are beckoned upon to rally round support for Rt Hon Chinedu Ogah because he is a team player, legislative maestro, and a social engineer of repute”
