BY BONIFACE OKECHUKWU


The minority caucus of the House of the Representatives has reinstated it's resolve to make it's numerical superiority in the incoming Assembly count as it has set up a committee with the responsibility to screen and recommend candidates for leadership positions.

This disclosure was made in a statement in Abuja on Monday, jointly signed Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, Hon. Dachung Bogos and
Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi, spokespersons of a bloc of the minority caucus, known as 'Greater Majority', who had earlier insisted that the speaker of the House would come from the minority caucus, as long as it has more members out together, than the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).


While Members-Elect from the opposition parties are 183, those of the APC 177, so they reasoned that
history beckons on them to constructively, and creatively, chart the path towards the deepening of the nation's democracy.

The group among other things, blamed APC's lack of a united front in the run up to the speakership election, as a motivating factor for it's decision to go for the top job.

The APC has not been able to reach a consensus in the speakership race as several of it's members are currently jostling for the position.

A statement by the group said further: "Consequently, and in keeping with it's resolve in that regard, the "Greater Majority" of the 10th House of Representatives has put together an 11-man Committee - complemented by a chairman and secretary - charged with the task of shortlisting, screening and eventual recommendation of aspirants for the Speakership and Deputy Speaker positions."

The committee would be chaired by a long-standing member of the House of Representatives, the Rt. Hon. Nicholas Mutu, while another ranking member and caucus leader of the Labour Party, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, has been appointed as Secretary. The Committee has one week to turn in its Report.

Members of the committee are listed below:

Rt. Hon Nicholas Mutu
Chairman (PDP)

Hon. Abdulmumini Jibrin
Deputy Chairman (NNPP)

Hon. Oluwole Oke
Member (PDP)

Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi
Member (SDP)

Hon. Beni Lar
Member (PDP)

Hon. Dr. Ali Isa JC
Member (PDP)

Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum
Member (NNPP )

Hon. Donatus Mathew Kuzalio
Member (LP)

Hon. Yusuf Salisu Majigiri
Member (PDP)

Hon. Nnabuife Chinwe Clara
Member (YPP)

Hon. Gwacham Maureen Chinwe
(Member) APGA

Hon. Idris Salman
Member (ADC)

Hon. Afam Ogene
Secretary (LP)

Minus Rivers lawmakers ooooo.

Hmm

fergie001:
Minus Rivers lawmakers ooooo.

Same thing I wanted to say.

The only reason I’m still giving them a chance is because I feel that if things remain as they are, then APC lawmakers will not vote in one direction.

Meanwhile I don’t understand how this Afam Ogene that was just elected yesterday seems to be so influential amongst Reps-elect.

Good one from the minority Reps of 10th National Assembly

There's a joint task force. They're more influential. These ones are just rabble rouser. They can't do nada

Penguin2:


Same thing I wanted to say.

The only reason I’m still giving them a chance is because I feel that if things remain as they are, then APC lawmakers will not vote in one direction.

Meanwhile I don’t understand how this Afam Ogene that was just elected yesterday seems to be so influential amongst Reps-elect.

He was in the House of Reps before and he is a journalist. He was Deputy-Chair, Public Affairs whilst he was in the Houss. He used to be an editor with the Source Magazine and alongside the present PDP Publicity Secretary, founded a newspaper, 360 Daily a few years ago.

fergie001:
Minus Rivers lawmakers ooooo.

Yesoooo

They are PDAPC.

Noise makers. They are just jostling to get noticed and end up with crumbs left over by APC. Throw 20 naira notes in their midst and they will all scamper for it.

fergie001:

He was in the House of Reps before and he is a journalist. He was Deputy-Chair, Public Affairs whilst he was in the Houss. He used to be an editor with the Source Magazine and alongside the present PDP Publicity Secretary, founded a newspaper, 360 Daily a few years ago.

I get it now. I suspected he must have been in the House before too.

Dalu.