10th NASS: All South-South members-elect endorse Abbas for Speaker

The statement said the endorsement had brought the number of incoming lawmakers backing the ticket to over 290.

News Agency of Nigeria • June 12, 2023

Tajudeen Abbas

All 55 members-elect of the House of Representatives from the South-South geopolitical zone have endorsed Rep. Tajudeen Abbas to emerge as Speaker of the 10th Assembly.

In a statement by the Abba Campaign Team on Monday, the members-elect also endorsed Rep. Benjamin Kalu as Deputy Speaker in the June 13 elections.

The statement said the endorsement had brought the number of incoming lawmakers backing the ticket to over 290.

Addressing the candidates and their team, Rep. Unyime Idem, a member-elect from Akwa Ibom, stated that it had come to a point where the South-South caucus must key into the vision and agenda of the Abbas/Kalu ticket.

Mr Idem said the Joint Task 10th Assembly Coalition had vigorously promoted the Abbas/Kalu ticket.

Mr Idem expressed gratitude to his colleagues from the South-South for trusting him to convey their decision to the Joint Task.

“I consider it a great privilege to welcome our incoming Speaker and deputy by the grace of God. As a coordinator, it gives me pleasure to announce that we have 55 members of the South-South caucus who have penned their signatures in support of the joint ticket.

“I, therefore, want to assure you that we will have the whole 55 as they are going to appear in the chamber on Tuesday to give you 55 votes from the South-South geopolitical zone,” Mr Idem said.

In response to the announcement, the co-chairman of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, Rep. Usman Kumo (APC-Gombe), thanked Mr Idem for his leadership so far during the campaign.

He said, “55-over-55 is something we are not surprised, given the level of support we have enjoyed from key members of the caucus.”

Also, Mr Kalu expressed gratitude to the caucus for believing in the initiative to institutionalise a legislature anchored on the principles of equity and inclusiveness.

“I stand here also as part of the South, and I said to myself that getting the endorsements of the South-East and South-West was not going to be complete for me without having the South-South.

“I thank God the South-South has completed the circle by adopting us, and we are so very grateful.”

(NAN)

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