By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
With barely six weeks to the inauguration of the tenth National Assembly, a group under the aegis of the Wase Bogghom Development Association Jos Branch has appealed to the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and authorities concerned to zone the position of Speaker of the House of the Representatives to the North Central zone of the country.
The Group equally called on the aforementioned to endorse the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Ahmed Idris Wase for that position.
The Group made the call while briefing journalists in Jo’s the Plateau State Capital, through its leader, Bala Mohammed Gar, flanked by other members.
Gar said, “We stand here before you today as members of the Wase Bogghom Development Association Jos Branch to brief on our position and stand as a concern association.
“Our press briefing has been necessitated by recent political developments in the country and specifically on the zoning of the position of Speakership of the Federal House of Representatives in the 10th Assembly.
According to the Group, “It is on record that the North Central Zone of this country has contributed immensely towards the victory of the APC at the just concluded polls, with our amiable Executive Governor His Excellency Barrister Simon Bako Lalong serving as Campaign DG.
“It is equally on record that the zone has never produced a Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives”, the Group maintained.
“On the strength of this and in the interest of justice and equity which APC has always been known for and demonstrated we are appealing to the leadership of the party (APC) and the authorities concerned to zone the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives to the North Central and specifically endorse the current Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon Ahmed Idris Wase for that position.
“There is no gainsaying the seamless transition that would be afforded the party and nation at large with the emergence of Rt. Hon Ahmed Idris Wase as Speaker but we must also appreciate his qualities as an astute legislator and loyal party man with a high experience of legislative business”, it further explained.
Recall that Rt. Hon Ahmed Idris Wase began his legislative sojourn in 2007 as a Member representing Wase Federal Constituency under the ACN and was a pioneer House Members of APC post merger.
Since then he has been elected 5 times to represent his good people of Wase Federal Constituency, a testimony to his sterling leadership qualities and grassroots mobilisation skills.
The Group further stated that
“In the House of Representatives business, Wase, was viewed by Pan Nigerians who looked and saw to his appointment as Chairman of the Federal Character Committee twice from 2011 – 2019.
“He was also the Deputy Majority Leader in the 8th Assembly and currently the Deputy Speaker ECOWAS Parliament.
“His legislative track records in Bills sponsoring and lobbying to influence projects and personal interventions are too numerous to mention here.
“In June 2019 in the 9th Assembly Rt. Hon Ahmed Idris was a leading contender for the position of Speaker but as a faithful party man he bowed to the wishes of his party and ensured the emergence of Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamilla as Speaker.
“It is in this light that we call on President Muhammadu Buhari, President- elect Ahmad Bola Tinubu, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu and other party loyalist to endorse Hon Ahmed Wase for Speakership of the 10th Assembly.
“We would also like to call on our brothers in the North Central Zone to support this national cause and personally enjoin our brothers on the Plateau regardless of party affiliation to support this endeavour”, the Group reiterated.
