Members, North Central Caucus of the All Progressive Congress (APC)), House of Representatives, have appealed to the party’s leadership to consider the geo-political zone for the position of speaker of the lower chamber.
Speaking on behalf of the group at a news briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, Rep John Dyegh (Benue) said Nigerians were not unaware of the interest the issue of the leadership of the next assembly had generated in the public space.
The lawmaker, who acknowledged the supremacy of the party, said zoning the position to the north central would satisfy and advance the cause of equity in the party.
He said the caucus’ demand was based on the fact that the north west and south west had already had the presidency and vice presidency.
”We note that apart from the north west and north east, the north central zone delivered handsomely for the party in the general elections and as such needs to be rewarded for the hard work and loyalty, ” he said.
The lawmaker also posited that the need to ensure balance and spread between and among the six geo-political zones made it imperative to give prime consideration to the north central zone to produce the position of speaker.
According to him, being the zone with delicate and peculiar location and challenges within the federation, it is of utmost importance to carry us along in the hierarchy of power distribution in the country as this will in no small measure help in stabilising the polity.
”It is not by coincidence that the Nigerian constitution enshrines federal character in the distribution of offices and leadership positions in the country.
”Section 14(4) of the groundnum speaks eloquently to this fact.
”The north central geo-political zone would feel a sense of belonging if it is allowed to produce the speaker in the next assembly,” he said.
Dyegh stated that the call for the zone to produce the number-one man in the lower house was an appeal to the sense of justice, fairness and equity of their great party.
According to him, we are mindful of the fact that events that surrounded the emergence of leaders of previous assemblies can provide amble guide for our greatest party to avoid past pitfalls and engender harmony, peace and stability in the House of Representatives as partners in progress with the executives.