By Michael Oche
As the tussle over the leadership of the 10th Assembly continues, a Coalition of Civil Society Organizations has called for a proper scrutiny of those jostling for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly.
The Coalition said the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives is not for experiment and must not be slaughtered on the altar of ethnic sentiment to pave way for mediocre who lack experience and barely contributed to the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last presidential election.
Addressing a joint press conference on Thursday in Abuja, the Coalition said the likes of Hon Benjamin Kalu, the current spokesman of the House, who is rumoured to be eyeing the Speakership should burry his ambition and be patient to learn the ropes and allowed himself to be groomed.
The briefing was jointly addressed by Olawale Dawodu, Convener Coalition of South West Professionals; Comrade Ali Abacha Chairman, Coalition of Northern Patriotic Front and Barr. Abdumalik Alfa Attahiru, National President, Coalition of Arewa Youth Groups for Progress and Development.
Dawodu who spoke on behalf of the coalition said “in pursuance of balancing act and preservation of Nigeria’s sanctity, we believe the leadership of the National Assembly should be zoned to the South- East, however, in doing so, equity, justice and fairness should be applied. It will amount to violation of divine injunction, if people are allowed to reap from where they did not sow”
He cautioned that a party that fails to get the leadership of the National Assembly right, may not witness major development, explaining that the 8th Assembly is a classical example, where President Muhammadu Buhari-led government could not do much because of the emergence of rebellious group within the APC who worked in cross purpose against the policies of the ruling party throughout their stint.
He said, “Therefore, among the criteria that should guide the House members in the choice they make is their scorecard; their contributions to the success of the party during the last election and public perception of those who have shown interest to lead. This is very critical, especially in a time like this in the history of the country when the incoming government will be confronted with so many challenges to fulfill its campaign promises and would therefore require not just men of impeccable character but also the best heads to salvage the country from the storm ahead.”
He said further that Hon Kalu “should tell Nigerians his role in the presidential election that took place in the South -east to warrant the trust his party’s leadership to entrust such sensitive position to him.”
