10th NASS: We don’t want bully as speaker, say new members-elect

Ahead of the June inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, new members-elect of the House of Representatives have vehemently kicked against having a “bully” as speaker.

Incidentally, the members-elect said they had made their choice of speaker in the current chairman, Committee on Appropriations, Muktar Betara, and commenced a nationwide sensitization tour for him.

The tour will cover the six geopolitical zones of South West, South East, South South as well as North West, North East and North Central.

It has members from different political parties, including the All Progressives Congress, APC, New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Labour Party, LP, and other parties which indicated interest.

Leader of the delegation, Ismail Haruna Dabo, an APC member representing Toro Federal Constituency Bauchi State, disclosed that members of the group were new members-elect from the various political parties.

He also said the tour began yesterday, with a delegation leaving Abuja for Enugu State in the south east.

He said: “We are new members-elect from different political parties and irrespective of our party affiliations, we have resolved to support Muktar Betara Aliyu.

“In furtherance of his campaign, Betara who doubles as Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations has proved to the world that he is capable of leading the over 300 lawmakers.

“As you know, we do not want a bully as a leader in the 10th House of Representatives. That is why he is our anointed candidate and we chose to begin awareness from Enugu.”

Unveiling their campaign itinerary, Dabo said the idea was to create more awareness on the person of Betara.

“The idea is to create more awareness on the man they believe will lead them to pilot the affairs of the Green Chamber in the next democratic dispensation hence the need for others to join the moving train,” he said.

He added that the delegation was also working across all the geo-political zones in northern parts of the country where he said Betara enjoyed unflinching support.

Other lawmakers who spoke during the meeting, unanimously affirmed that Betara was most suited for the job of speaker.

Another member of the group who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the lawmaker also enjoyed the support of opposition political parties.

He said: “I wish to state categorically that the nationwide solidarity tour which was organized for our political leader and associate, Muktar Betara Aliyu is encouraging and promising.

“So far, we’ve been able to gather all members-elect and we will cover virtually all the States across the country. It will be a dream come true.

“The outpour of support is overwhelming and I can tell report that it is a worthwhile venture and a win-win for all of us, irrespective of the political affiliation, tribe or religion.

“Without mincing words, the solidarity being enjoyed by Betara is unprecedented and I think it’s even good for the President-elect and the APC to see such lawmaker like Muktar Betara Aliyu to express interest for the position of number four citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“He (Betara) does not only enjoy the support of the APC members-elect but more importantly the members of the opposition parties are so supportive and ready to go along with him, in the bid to pave way for a progressive parliament and country that we will all be proud to call our own and the future generations.

“Insha Allah, the election that will take place during the inauguration may end up being an adoption.