9th ASSEMBLY: Imo Reps members-elect endorse Gbajabiamila for Speaker

House of Representatives members-elect from Imo state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Action Alliance (AA) have reportedly backed the APC’s choice of Hon Femi Gbajiabiamila as the speaker of the House.

This was disclosed by the member-elect for Isu-Nkwerre-Njaba-Nwangele Federal Constituency in Imo State, Ugonna Ozurigbo, while addressing newsmen in Owerri.

He said in line with the decision of the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari, the Reps from APC and AA are have already queued behind Gbajiabiamila as the Speaker.

Ozuruigbo, who is the serving Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, expressed confidence that Gbajiabiamila will emerge the next speaker of the Green Chamber going by the growing support he enjoys among lawmakers.

READ ALSO: SPEAKERSHIP: 164 APC Reps-elect back Gbajabiamila

He also noted that apart from Reps elected under the platform of the APC, those from other political parties are also solidly behind Gbajabiamila’s ambition.

Additionally, Ozurigbo said that as a founding member of the APC, he cannot be seen to be opposing the decision of the party and that of President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him: “We cannot afford to be at variance with the decision of the party and the President, we will support Gbajabiamila and that is my message to all the members from the Southeast, we should be part of the mainstream in the 9th session of the National Assembly.

“The National Chairman of the APC, Adam’s Oshiomhole has said that the six key principal positions will be divided among the six geopolitical zones and the implication is that of the Southeast did not get anything in the House of Representatives, they will definitely get something from the Senate”.

Speaking on whether he has the support of the Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha on the decision to back Gbajabiamila, since another Rep has joined the race for the office of the Speaker from his state (Imo), Ozuruigbo said: “Of course Owelle Rochas Okorocha is an APC leader and he respects party decision and that of the President. After I was appointed Gbajabiamila’s coordinator in the Southeast, I came to him and told me and he told me that it was the right thing to do and he gave his blessings”.

Besides, Ozuruigbo also noted the Southeast does not have the numerical strength to produce the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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