0
0
Reuben Nwankwo
Hon John Degh
As the argument rages over whom and from which geo-political zone of Nigeria, becomes the next speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, a right Group Citizen for Justice and Peace, a civil society group, has advocated the sticking to the federal character principle in the choice of the next speaker of the 9th assembly.
The group in a press statement signed by its National Coordinator and National Secretary, Jeffrey Ugonna and Mallam Adamu Toro respectively and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday , advises the House to narrow down its choice to Hon John Dyegh from Gboko/Tarka Federal constituency of Benue State, describing him as most suitable in all criteria.
The group posited that it is expedient to zone the office of speakership of the House of Representatives to North Central, specifically to a Christian for equity in the zoning formulae. It added: ‘’since the ruling party, APC, has zoned the president of the senate to North East and a Muslim, it should zone the speaker of the House to North Central and a Christian to ensure equity and fairness in the distribution of positions’’. The group says, insisting that only in doing so can every section and religion be seen to have been carried along.
“Nigeria has two major religions, Islam and Christianity. The President, Gen Muhammadu Buhari GCFR is a Muslim and his vice, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, GCON is a Christian. We consider it the right thing to have the position of speakership zoned to a Christian even as senate president has been zone to a Muslim and no Christian is most ably qualified in our view for the office than Hon Dyegh, a man of outstanding pedigree, a tested, seasoned democrat and a APC stalwart.
“North Central Zone has shown strong support for APC. It produced 3rd highest vote to President Buhari in the last general election. If hard-work and party loyalty are the measures, indeed the North Central deserves the speakership of House of Representatives” the statement added
Further they hinted that Hon Dyegh has exhibited skills, experience and consistency in the discharge of legislative duty and therefore if elected speaker of the House will take the green chamber to the next level.
Hence, the group called on well-meaning Nigerians, to throw their weight behind the Benue born Law maker, Hon Dyegh.
