Group Wants APC to Zone Position of Rep Speaker to Southeast

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Friday, March 22nd, 2019

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – As various geo political zones in Nigeria continues to strategize on how to clinch the Speaker of the federal House of representatives ahead of the 9th National Assembly (NASS) in June, a Coalition of South East Civil Society and Human Rights Organizations have urged the leadership of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to zone the position to the Southeast region.

The group also reiterated its support and adoption of the candidacy of Hon. (Mrs) Nkeiruka Onyejeocha from Abia state for the position based on her antecedents.

Addressing a world press conference in Enugu, the conveners, Dr. Jasper Uche of the Political Science Department, University of Nigeria (UNN) Nsukka and Comrade Ibuchuwu Ezike of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), urged the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole led APC “to zone the position to the South East.

The group equally urged returning and newly elected members of the lower chamber of the (NASS) “from the six geopolitical zone to endorse, support and elect Hon Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyeajocha as the Speaker of House of Representatives.

They posited that the Speakership office remains the most feasible or the people of the South, calling all women organizations to stand up to be counted and support the campaigns for gender mainstreaming in key positions of resource allocation in Nigeria’s polity.

The organization, described Onyejeocha, who had represented Isuikwato/Umunneochi federal constituency for three terms and recently won the 2019 NASS election under the platform of the APC “as an experienced and ranking member who has spent 12 years in the National Assembly with outstanding results.

“It said the odd favour South-East to produce the Speaker, because the positions of Senate president, Deputy Senate president and Deputy Speaker had been held by the Southeast since 1999. Political correctness demand that we allow other zones to take a shot at the positions previously held by the zone.

Hinging its argument on gender balance, the group declared that “at a time when the word is calling for greater inclusion of women in political office, Nigeria would be seen as walking the talk, moreover women from the south east had given good account of themselves when they served the nation.

It cited example with late Minister of Information, Professor Dora Akunyili, ex- Minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezewesili, among others.

The body explained that they are supporting Onyejeocha, because she has a clean record when it comes to financial scandal, adding that the Rep member elect, has not been involved in any financial recklessness since the beginning of her political public service to the nation, insisting that she remains the most qualified for the exalted office.