…By Larry John for TDPel Media.
The minority caucus in the House of Representatives has indicated that it will soon declare its stance on which candidate to support for the position of Speaker.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) had previously announced Tajudeen Abbas from Kaduna State as its consensus candidate, with Ben Kalu from the South-East designated as his deputy.
However, controversies have arisen over the party’s selection of candidates for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly.
Earlier reports stated that a significant number of lawmakers in the house refused to attend a meeting called by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila to promote Abbas’ candidacy.
The meeting was poorly attended, which displeased the Speaker.
A source from the minority caucus revealed to Vanguard that, based on the attendance, they doubted if even a quarter of the house would support Abbas, who is reportedly Gbajabiamila’s preferred candidate.
In response, the source stated that the opposition caucus would soon disclose its position.
However, they emphasized that they would only support an independent candidate capable of effectively leading the house.
The source clarified that the minority caucus had been holding meetings and would back an individual with the capacity and independent mindset to ensure that the 10th House serves the interests of the Nigerian people as a whole, rather than serving the interests of an individual.
The source further noted that the minority caucus’s support would be extended to a candidate regardless of their region or state of origin.
It is important to secure the votes of the 358 members who will decide the next Speaker, and the source expressed doubt that the number present at the meeting would constitute even a quarter of the deciding votes.