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Members of the North-East Advancement for Good Governance
By Akanji Olowolodu, Bauchi
As controversy continue to surround who emerges as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th National Assembly, one of the contenders, Mukhtar Aliyu Betara has been urged to jettison his aspiration and step down for Tajudeen Abbas.
The appeal was made a political pressure group, North-East Advancement for Good Governance led by, during a Word Press Conference held at the Dadin Kowa Restruant and Event Center, Bauchi.
Hamza Rahama said that, “We strongly appeal and call on Hon. Betara, in the name of patriotism, recognition of ethnic divisions, national cohesion and the greater good of the North-East people to emulate competent colleagues who have stepped down for Hon. Tajuddeen Abbas and help ensure the smooth take off of the Asiwaju Administration.”
He explained that the Press Conference was to address the ongoing political conversations on the distribution of Power that is ethnic, religious and Regional balancing.
According to him,”It is longer news that the 2023 General elections have come and gone, leaving behind a discussion that requires all hands to be on deck to safeguard the Peace and Unity of Nigeria.”
He added that, “The above mentioned is the reason why we are all here once again to air our voice as “North East Advancement for Good Governance” on which region should get what for justice, fairness and equity. First of all, We want to join other leaders and the party leadership in their decision to zone the Office of the Speaker to North West.”
He said that,”This is an undeniable response to goodwill poured out by the people of the Region towards the election of Tinubu/ Shettima ticket in the last general elections”.
“As one of the Frontline advocate for equitable distribution of Power between the North and the South, which we earliest this year mobilized Voters to go for the South, we have once again agreed and are calling on all party faithfuls particularly the Members-elect to join and see a balance in the decision of the All Progressive Congress which is both instructive and inclusive as supreme,” he stressed.
He further said that,”The need to add our voice to this ongoing conversation became necessary considering the fact that the party and the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu have both given the North-East subregion the opportunity to produce the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima.”
According to him,”Indeed, we would have love to retain as many officers as we can in the Asiwaju led APC Administration, even the Speakership Seat, but, because of the intricacies of National Unity and social cohesion, there is need to allow other zones to Produce the Speaker.”
Hamza Ukasha said that the decision of the National Working Committee under the leadership of Senator Abdullahi Adamu after a wide consultation with the rank and files within the rulling APC including the President elect is highly commendable.
He said that, “As a party loyal Members, who have given it all through the rulling All Progressive Congress, the need for all party faithfuls to join the decision of the Party and the President elect to have Hon. Tajuddeen Abbas as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives cannot be overemphasized.”
“Both above mentioned are household names within their regions and they Represent the characters that next President needs to achieve his renew hope policies to Nigerians and Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, “Rt.Hon Abbas Tajuddeen is one Nigerian blessed with multiple competencies having sponsored over 78 bills that are trajectory and are reference points to all Parliaments around the world.”
“He is a Legislator with good track records of history that has been achieved beyond the expectations of Zaria Federal Constituency. His nomination and subsequent endorsement by the Party and the President elect is a demonstration of his Commitment and loyalty to the rulling party and its Leaders,” he added.
The group Coordinator stressed that,”It is on record that the North West Zone gave the President elect the highest Votes during the Presidential elections. His Endorsement and that of Hon.Ben Kalu who has been a Stabiliser in the party and in the South East is coming at the right time considering the multi-dimensional democratic challenges confronting the nation Which requires sound legislative agenda to drive the country forward the qualities that Hon. Abbas Represents.”
He added that,”The Abbas/Kalu ticket is the best that will happen to the next House of Representatives considering their good track records and rich political CV, Loyalty and Contributions to the success of the rulling All Progressive Congress at all levels which earned them this trust of the party Hirachy Particularly the President elect.”
According to him,”These are characters that are requires to bring to the table of the Nigerian People sound legislations and good governance irrespective of their tribes, religion or regional backgrounds considering their network in and around the country.”
He added that,”It is on the light of the above, We are calling on other aspirants not to be aggrieved but to join Abbas/Kalu ticket to support the incoming President Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu in achieving his renew hope for the Nigerian People.”
“We hereby reject the inconsiderate ambition of Hon. Betara, who though a versed legislator, must recognise that Executive and Legislative balance in power sharing requires sacrifice and the North East that was well favoured in the outgoing administration including the incoming government cannot be seen as Selfish and Divisive,” he stressed.
Hamza Ukkasha stressed that,”We therefore lend our voice in appealing to all party aspirants to align with Asiwaju and learn from the PDP and how it lost its place as a majority party in Nigeria and was even decimated in the last election by Labour Party and NNPP, which they would all have regretted by now.”
He concluded saying,”The President elect is one of the most sound and experienced politicians alive in the country, he was a former member of the National Assembly, Former Governor, tasted the loss and gains of Power and now President elect who is not new to this terrain.”
“For him and the party, the endorsement of this ticket is that which will create balance and mergers for the best hands to lead the next House of Representatives as Speaker and Deputy Speaker have been examined and a reviewed compensations would be carried out in other key offices in the Parliament and the Executive. We urge APC not to waste its good will.”
