As the contest for the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the coming National Assembly raises up, a coalition of Niger Delta groups and the amalgamation of Civil Society organizations under the umbrella of Citizens United to Save Democracy (CUSD), have insisted on zoning the office to the North Central Zone of the Country by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Both groups made their positions known in press statements made available to news men in Abuja on Sunday as against the position of the leadership of the party which favoured the South-West zone for the position.
In the separate statements, the groups threw their weight behind the candidature of Hon John Dyegh, Plateau State North Central Zone, for the speakership slot.
The Nigeria Delta coalition in a statement signed by Comrade Nwokoma Messiah of the Niger Delta Renaissance Organisation (NDRO), Comrade Collins Obilor of the Niger Delta Project (NDP) and Ibiye Douglas of Ijaw Justice Forum (IJF) urged lawmakers from the Niger Delta to vote for Hon John Dyegh based on available facts to the Coalition.
According to the Coalition, “for the purpose of justice, equity and fair play, we in the Niger Delta region through this coalition have decided to endorse Hon John Dyegh for the position of speaker of the House of Representatives.”
“Aside the issue of competence, which we believe a lot of the members have from all sections of the country and party divide, we believe in justice and equity and it our stand that it will be morally wrong not to consider the north central, which has been the most politically marginalised since the advent of the present democracy in the country.”
“On the issue of who voted for the party and the president, the coalition is saying north central showed strong support for the president despite the challenges from other areas, it will be morally unacceptable for them not to be given the position of speaker.”
The Niger Delta group observed that “it is also imperative to recognise the fact that Hon. John Dyegh emerged victorious despite such challenges and the best we can do is to give him the support that will ensure the party makes further inroads in Benue and the region as a whole.”
On its part, the CUSD in a statement issued by its publicity secretary, Comrade Fashola Adams said: “Hon. John Dyegh as speaker of the 9th House of Representatives is an idea whose time has come and e call on the entire members of the House to support his historic candidacy irrespective of sectional, ethnic or religious affiliation.”
The group explained that “this is due to his proven track record of competence, honesty, dedication, transparency, efficiency, humility, inclusiveness and widespread acceptance cutting across the length and breadth of the hallowed green chamber.”