10th Speaker: We’re Not Interested In Contesting, Opposition Lawmakers Say

Opposition parties members-elect in the 10th House of Representatives have backed out from contesting for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker ahead of the June 5 inauguration.

The opposition resolved not to contest for the two seats as they have no member interested in contesting for the positions.

Rep. Afam VOgene (LP-Anambra), the Co-spokeperson of the caucus known as “Greater Majority” disclosed this at a meeting in Abuja.

He said at the end of the period given to undertake that assignment, no member of the minority caucus stepped forward to indicate interest.

The political parties that made up the caucus include the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Labour Party (LP); New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP); Africa Democratic Congress (ADC).

Others include: Young People’s Party (YPP); All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The caucus, called the “Greater Majority” had earlier muted a plan to upstage the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) by contesting for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

An 11-man Committee charged with the task of shortlisting, screening and eventual recommendation of aspirants for presiding officers were set up.

However, Ogene disclosed that as at the end of the period given to undertake that assignment, no member of the minority caucus stepped forward to indicate interest.

Ogene said they have also met with APC aspirants and they seem to be qualified, adding that the details of the meeting with the aspirants would not be disclosed until other members were briefed.

He however said that the caucus would remain united as one of the opposition parties.

“We did meet with those aspiring for the position of Speaker but because we have not briefed our members, I will not go into details of our interface.

“I can assure you that everyone that puts him or herself running for the position appears to be qualified, ” he said.