The minority forum of the House of Representatives has endorsed Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu for the office of speaker and deputy speaker, respectively.

The forum, a part of the minority caucus, made this position known in a communique issued at the end of its inaugural meeting in Abuja on Monday evening.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) had endorsed Abbas and Kalu for the positions earlier.

However, the move has met stiff opposition from other aspirants and civil society organisations.

The forum’s chairman, Idu Igariwey, said in the communique that the forum had resolved to play a leading role in the formation of the leadership of the 10th Assembly.

Mr Igariwey said the forum took the position after diligent interactions with all aspirants for the position of the speaker and deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.

“We hereby resolve to support the duo of Mr Tajudeen Abbas and Mr Benjamin Kalu, respectively, as speaker and deputy speaker of the House of Representatives,” he explained. “We have found in the two persons leadership that will allow for fairness, equity, as well as provide an equal platform for all political parties represented in Parliament to have a say in the running of the legislature and expression of alternate views on issues of public interest.”

Mr Igariwey added, “In the next few days, we will be meeting in a larger caucus of the minority parties to discuss and formalise the adoption of the speaker and deputy Speaker designates of the 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives.”

He urged all members-elect to join in the election of Messrs Abbas and Kalu as presiding officers of the house on June 13. 

(NAN)