Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, has officially declared his intention to contest the speakership of the 10th House despite the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) zoning the position to the North-West.
Wase who is the member representing Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau State in House, who declared his intention on Friday in Abuja, has been of the members of the House who has vociferously rejected the endorsement of Tajudeen Abbas from Kaduna State as the preferred choice of the party.
While declaring his ambition, Wase said it is the turn of the North Central to occupy the position in the spirit of fairness, equity and justice.
Wase who also made a case for the North Central geopolitical zone, said since the return of democracy in 1999, the zone where he hails from has not produced the Speaker.
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He added that his “intention to run for the speakership of the incoming 10th assembly was to evolve a virile and truly independent legislature.”
Wase also unveiled a 10-point agenda with a promise to focus on general orientation and image rebranding of the National Assembly.
Part of his agenda, he said, will be to “ensure a true people’s parliament, create an efficient and innovative parliament, approach nation building as a joint task irrespective of the political affiliation, tribe or religion, as well as creating a strong and independent parliament and promoting law and order and strong legislative oversight.”
“At this point, I will use the words of my leader, emilokan emilokan, emilokan,” Wase said while addressing other members who witnessed his declaration.
Other Speakership aspirants who have declared their intentions include Mukhtar Betara (Borno State), Sada Soli (Katsina State), Princess Mariam Onuoha (Imo State) and Yusuf Gagdi who is also from Plateau State, all members of the Group 7 (G7) of aggrieved lawmakers who are protesting the nomination of Abass by the APC.
