As the 8th House of Representatives gradually winds down and election of new members-elect almost completed, attention has shifted to the tussle for speakership of the House. JOSHUA EGBODO writes.
Emergence of caucus
When the All Progressives Congress (APC’s) caucus from the North Central geo-political zone demanded that the party considers the zone for the speakership when the House will be inaugurated in June, it seems a unified voice of lawmakers from the zone.
The conclusion is based on the fact that though just a handful of members were available at a media conference, where the call was made public last Tuesday, there had been no known dissension over that, as is typical of such political moves.
A member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from plateau State, Honourable Solomon Maren was even part of those that addressed journalists on the desire of the zone for the coming assembly’s speakership. In response to a question on whether he has joined the APC, the lawmaker said he may not be an APC member, but believes in the agitation and is in solidarity with the group to secure the position for the North Central zone.
The caucus’ position
Presenting its demand, the caucus appealed that speakership of the 9th assembly of the House be conceded to the zone to maintain equity and balance in the nation’s power equation.
Led at the media briefing by Honourable John Dyegh (Benue), the caucus justified its appeal to the APC leadership on the basis that heeding its demand will satisfy and advance the cause of equity. According to the caucus, the North West and South West already have the presidency and the vice presidency respectively, adding that apart from the North East and North West, the zone also delivered handsomely for the APC in the general elections and therefore should be rewarded.
“The need to ensure balance and spread between and among the six geopolitical zones has made it imperative to give prime consideration to the North Central zone to produce the position of speaker.
“It is not by coincidence that the Nigerian constitution enshrines federal character in the distribution of offices and leadership positions in the country….. The North Central geo-political zone will feel a sense of belonging if it is allowed to produce the speaker in the next assembly”, the caucus stated.
Further, Dyegh said the caucus would not divulge its strategy of pursuing the project at the moment, but was at the level of sensitising Nigerians, as well appealing to the leadership of the APC “for understanding”.
Also, on who the group was specifically rooting for, the lawmaker said “we want to drag the position to the North Central first, after that we will bring our candidate on board”.
The APC, which at the moment has gained a comfortable majority by outcome of elections for the 9th assembly was though yet to make its position known, as regards which zone would produce the speaker of the coming House. But, Dyegh conceded that the caucus acknowledged the supremacy of the party, “in addressing the issue of zoning of positions in an equitable, just and fair manner that will foster unity and cordial relations among members of the party, the party should consider our colleagues from the other political divides”.
On the assurance of the caucus that the APC would heed its call, the lawmaker said “we are confident of the ability and capacity of the national leadership of the APC to do the right thing to all in order to advance national cohesion, balance of power and federal character”.
From all known facts at the moment, the members, who have indicated interest in the position from the North Central geopolitical zone, have been deputy majority leader of the house, Idris Wase (Plateau), and Umar Bago (Niger).
‘Fronting’ for Wase
Though the APC North Central caucus, House of Representatives did not agree that it was working for a specific aspirant from the zone, there have been allegations that the clamour may be some clandestine efforts at having the deputy majority leader Wase installed as the next speaker of the house.
The lawmaker from Plateau state has just been elected for a fourth consecutive term in the House, and was named deputy leader by Speaker Yakubu Dogara, following the demise of Buba Jibril from Kogi state, who was formerly occupying the seat.
Beyond the caucus
But beyond the call by the APC North Central caucus of the house, the ambition of Wase for speakership of 9th assembly of the House, may be receiving the support of other members outside the zone, who said they were more at home with the Plateau state-born lawmaker. Other frontline contenders at the moment include majority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos), Tahir Monguno (Borno), and spokesman of the House, Abdulrazak Namdas, amongst several others.
Some lawmakers said they would prefer Wase over other contenders because of his leadership qualities, humility and grasp for legislative work, which they argued have stood him out among the lot.
One of these said Wase has all it takes to lead the House peacefully because “he enjoys the support and understanding of almost all returning members”, noting that “among all the contenders, Wase appears to be more mature, and knows how to handle people”.
The lawmaker further said: “I can assure you that most members are comfortable with Wase because he never had issues with anybody. Besides, he has listening ears. He ensured fairness and correction of imbalances when he served as chairman, federal character committee. He operates an open door policy. He always listens to members each time they come to him with an issue.
“He is someone that doesn’t raise his shoulders despite the fact that he is one of the ranking members of the house. So, many members are really ready to see that he becomes speaker”.
Another member disclosed that there were lots of underground supports by members for Wase’s emergence. “Wase is gaining more support from our colleagues. He is really a good man. Everyone among our colleagues can attest to that. He doesn’t have problem with any member, and he has helped us in many ways to get jobs for our people”, he said last week.
Wase or not, whether the North Central APC caucus, and possibly with the support of other members from the zone, irrespective of political party affiliations, would be united enough to push the battle through would be determined in a matter of weeks.
