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• Reps-elect coalition backs Betara
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Yusuf Gagdi, has unveiled his programmes for the House, if elected Speaker of the 10th Assembly, with a promise to ensure that the voices of the “disenfranchised” are heard in the parliament.
Gagdi, while speaking at the event, yesterday, in Abuja, said 24 years into the Fourth Republic, the citizens are expecting more from their representatives in the legislature. However, he stated that the ability of the House to meet the expectation of the people depends on the capacity and dedication of members.
Consequently, the lawmaker noted it is imperative to elect a leadership that will ensure that the 10th House is able to meet the high expectations of the people from the parliament.
His words: “The manifesto I am presenting to you today articulates the internal reforms of the House of Representatives I intend to pursue as Speaker as well as the policy priorities I intend to champion through the legislative process. I am presenting this document today, because I want to initiate a national conversation about what the proper function of parliament in our country ought to be.
“It is also my desire to ensure that the campaign for the speakership of the 10th House of Representatives is informed by considerations of the substantial issues of our nationhood rather than the pedestrian concerns that too often influence our politics.”
Gagdi further stated: “Twenty-four years since the return to democracy, the Nigerian people have rightly come to expect more from their parliamentary representatives. The ability of the House of Representatives to effectively meet those expectations depends on the quality, capacity and dedication of the members who serve in the parliament. It also depends on how the internal operations of the House are structured, designed and funded.
Meanwhile, a group of members-elect have endorsed the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Muktar Betara, for the speakership of the Green Chamber in the 10th assembly.
The members-elect, under the aegis of New Vision, after a meeting, in Abuja, said Betara, who currently represents Biu/Bayo/Shani Federal Constituency of Borno state, is the most qualified among the contenders for the speakership position.
The lawmakers-elect, drawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), amongst others said they been moving across the country to garner support for the speakership bid of the Appropriations Committee chairman.
The member-elect from Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwara federal constituency, Cross River, Peter Akpanke, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said they have interacted with most of the contenders for the speakership seat and it is only Betara that has showed sincere commitment to work with the Executive Arm of government, in addressing the challenges confronting the country.
