10th NASS: Supports increase for Akpabio, Abbas

Iyojo Ameh –Abuja

As inauguration of the 10th National Assembly draws closer, aspirations of Senator Godswill Akpabio for Presidency of the Senate and Hon Tajudeen Abbas for Speakership of the House of Representatives , got separate endorsements in Abuja on Friday .

At separate press briefings , members of Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria ( CNPDN) , supported the endorsements of Senators Godswill Akpabio and Jibrin Barau for President and Deputy President of the 10th Senate by the National Working Committee ( NWC) of the All Progressives ( APC) while an Advocacy group , did so , for Hon Tajudeen Abbas

Expressing supports for Akpabio and Barau, the National Secretary of CNPDN , Barrister Francis Wainwei, said with endorsements of Akpabio and Barau as presiding officers for the 10th Senate , the ruling party and the President – elect , Bola Tinubu , have made the best choices .

” The other aggrieved aspirants should in national interest , forget about their plans by teaming up with the chosen ones .

” Every patriotic lawmaker – elect should jettison any other sentiments or consideration and align with the national interest by supporting the choices of the President – elect to move this Nation forward”, he said .

In their own expression of support for the endorsement of Hon Tajudeen Abbas as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th National Assembly, members of an advocacy group led by Alhaji Aliyu Jibril , said APC NWC had made the right choice .

According to the group , Hon Abbas is a square peg waiting to be fixed into the square hole of the Speakership of the House of Representatives in the 10th National Assembly .

They posited that the Green Chamber is unique and therefore requires a unique presiding officer in person of Hon Abbas who will be unifying the various interests and probable factions in the House .

They consequently urged other contestants in the Speakership race to jettison their ambitions by respecting the decision of APC NWC .

They added that the press conference held by them for open support for Hon Abbas , was not sponsored by him or any other serving or federal lawmaker – elect but collectively funded membership of the group because of their strong belief in his character , competence and capacity .