The Civil Society for Good Governance (CSGG), a coalition of civil society organizations, has requested the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) to hand over the speakership of the 10th House of Representatives to the country’s south-eastern geographical zone for justice and equity.
Chief Dominic Ogakwu, the coalition’s convener, explicitly urged the party to back the current chairman of the House Committee on Medial and Publicity, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
Ogkwu, who noted the House spokesman’s leadership abilities, said Kalu stood out as the best contender if the zoning demand is met.
“At the moment, the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) is on the verge of making history as it decides on the zoning of important offices for the 10th National Assembly, particularly for the House of Representatives.”
“As representatives of civil society, we believe unequivocally that equality and fairness necessitate that the South East produce the next Speaker of the House of Representatives,” he said.
The group said it was urging the APC, as the majority party in the National Assembly, to zone the Office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to the South-East not only to reflect federal character and support a balanced power sharing formula in the country, but also because the South-East zone has the potential and capacity for the office.
“The APC has created a sense of isolation and marginalization among the residents of the Zone, which we disagree with but recognize as a real worry.” As a country that has recently emerged from an electoral process marred by divisive tendencies, history calls on the ruling party to demonstrate that it is inclusive, egalitarian, and attentive to all areas of the country, notably the South East.
“As a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-religious country, it is necessary and imperative that the APC supports the fundamentals of Federal Character by allocating the Speakership to the South East and strengthens the bonds of togetherness and peaceful coexistence among our peoples.”
“Records show that the Southeast geopolitical zone is the only zone that has yet to produce a speaker of the House of Representatives since the resumption of democratic governance in 1999.” From 2011 and 2015, the zone came closest to becoming Deputy Speaker.
“For the avoidance of confusion, from 1999 to 2007, the post of Speaker was designated to the North West, with Rt. Hons. Salisu Buhari, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, and Aminu Bello Masari as Speakers.” Furthermore, from 2007 to 2011, the South West provided Rt. Hon. Patricia Etteh and Dimeji Bankole as presiding; while the North West had another shot between 2011 and 2015, with Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as Speaker and Emeka Ihedioha as Deputy. Yakubu Dogara was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives from the North East in 2015. By 2019, it has reverted to the South West with the current speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.
“As we have mentioned, our campaign for the Speakership from the South East is not based just on equality and inclusiveness, but on the capacity, ability, and popular consensus that Hon. Benjamin Kalu is qualified for the role,” Ogakwu continued.
