Opposition parties’ members-elect in the 10th House of Representatives have backed out of the speakership contest ahead of the June 5 inauguration.

The opposition resolved not to run for speaker and deputy speaker, revealing they do not have any lawmakers-elect interested in the positions.

Afam Ogene (Labour Party-Anambra), the co-spokesman for the caucus known as ‘Greater Majority’, disclosed this at a meeting in Abuja.

He said at the end of the period given to undertake that assignment, no legislator-elect of the minority caucus stepped forward to indicate interest.

The political parties that made up the caucus include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), Young People’s Party (YPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The caucus had earlier mooted a plan to upstage the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) by contesting for the speaker and deputy speaker.

An 11-man committee charged with the task of shortlisting, screening and eventual recommendation of aspirants for presiding officers were set up.

However, Mr Ogene disclosed that at the end of the period given to undertake that assignment, no member of the minority caucus stepped forward to indicate interest.

Mr Ogene said they had also met with APC aspirants, who seemed to be qualified, adding that the meeting details with the aspirants would not be disclosed until other members were briefed.

He, however, said the caucus would remain united as one of the opposition parties.

“We did meet with those aspiring for the position of speaker, but because we have not briefed our members, I will not go into details of our interface,” the legislator stated. “I can assure you that everyone that puts him or herself running for the position appears to be qualified.”

(NAN)