SPEAKERSHIP: Northern youths reject Gbajabiamila, back Emeka Nwajiuba

The Northern Youth Council has on Friday moved against the candidacy of the House Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as the speaker of the ninth House of Representatives.

The youth in a statement on Friday in Abuja, endorsed a member-elect for Ehimembano and Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State, Emeka Nwajiuba, to emerge the speaker of the coming House of Representatives.

According to the council, the decision was based on equity, fairness and balanced representation of six geopolitical zones in the country.

The National President of NYC, Yahaya Salisu, in the statement said the decision to back Nwajiuba was born out of the desire for a healthy working relationship between the executive and the legislature.

He bemoaned the strained relationship between the executive and legislative arms in the last dispensation, stressing the need for a robust relationship that would aid development in the critical sector.

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The statement reads; “Northern Youth Movement stands for good governance and protection of the Nigerian nascent democracy enlightenment and participation in a democratic process for the overall interest of the Northern Youth and indeed Nigeria as a whole.

“The need to get it right this time, for the smooth running of the affairs of government as we go into yet another new term of four years the mandate given to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Ninth Assembly by the Nigerian people is what informed this press release.

“The Northern Youth Council in its wisdom felt the need to call on the newly elected members of the lower chamber of the National Assembly irrespective of their political party to consider Emeka Nwajiuba an experienced member from Imo State. Patriot, a detribalised person who has contributed to the growth of our democracy to the position of the Speaker of the National Assembly.”

“The North West has produced the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The South West has produced the Vice President of Nigerian; for equity, justice, and fair representation, the South East should be given the speaker of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in that zone Hon. Dr. Emeka (Nwajiuba) deserves to be in the position due to his vast experience and educational qualification as a Ph.D holder.

“While we salute the courage and good efforts of the APC National working committee for holding an interactive meeting with the elected incoming members of the House of Representatives, we advise that such should hold for the incoming Senators.”

The group, however, implored the elected members of the House to support the call.

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