By Ahmed Kaigama
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Leaders Aspirants Forum has endorsed Ahmed Idris Wase for Speakership of the 10th National Assembly, calling on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to zone the position to the North Central Region.
Dr Kabir Hassan Sambo Coordinator of the Forum made the call at a press conference on Monday in Bauchi, saying the endorsement of Wase was done in collaboration with People’s With Voters Card and 19 other Youth groups.
“In Nigeria, the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives is a crucial one in the country’s political landscape; he is responsible for presiding over the House of Representatives, ensuring that debates are conducted in an orderly manner, and representing the House in its dealings with other arms of government,” Sambo, said.
Sambo stated that electing good leadership for the upcoming 10th assembly is of utmost importance as it would determine the direction and progress of the country.
“Good leadership is essential for effective decision-making,
policy implementation, and overall development.
“The right leaders can inspire and motivate people to work towards a common goal, while poor leadership can lead to chaos, confusion, and stagnation.
“In the context of the forthcoming 10th assembly, electing good leadership is crucial for the proper legislative business, functioning of the government and ensuring that the needs and aspirations of
citizens are met,” he said.
According to him, good leaders are those who prioritize the welfare of their constituents over their
personal interests, uphold democratic values, and have a vision for the future.
“They should be competent, honest, and accountable for their action,” he said
The Coordinator said as a member of the APC and House of Representatives since 2007, the federal lawmaker has the experience to handle the position.
“He represents Wase Federal Constituency in Plateau State and has served in various capacities, including Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Federal
Capital Territory and Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business,” he said.
“Wase is known for his
commitment to legislative excellence and his ability to build consensus across party lines. He was the Deputy Majority Leader in the 8th Assembly and was seen as a highly experienced and capable legislator.
“He had also built a reputation as a bridge-builder and a unifier, having worked closely with members
from different political parties during his previous tenure in the National Assembly,” he said.
He described the Deputy Speaker as a seasoned politician and lawmaker who has dedicated his life to serving the people of his
constituency and Nigeria as a whole since he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2007 and has since then been re-elected four times.
“As the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Wase has been instrumental in driving the legislative agenda of the House.
“He has played a key role in
the passage of several important bills such as the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the Electoral Act
Amendment Bill, and the Police Reform Bill, among others.
Hon. Wase has also been a strong advocate for the empowerment of women and youth in his
constituency and across Nigeria,” Sambo said
He added that Wase had initiated several programs aimed at providing skills acquisition and entrepreneurship training for women and youth, as well as providing financial support for small and medium-scale businesses.
“We are proud of the achievements Wase and we believe that he will continue to serve his
constituents and Nigeria with dedication, integrity, and commitment.
“The North Central geopolitical zone has never produced a Speaker of the House of Representatives
since Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
“Therefore, it is time for the zone
to produce the next Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th Assembly.
The Coordinator appeal to NWC of the APC to consider zoning the seat of Speaker of the House of Representatives
to the North Central geopolitical zone, as the North Central region has been an integral part of Nigeria
and has played a pivotal role in the success of the APC in the past elections.
“We are confident that if given the mandate, Wase will provide strong leadership and work tirelessly
to promote the interests of the legislative arm and ensure a harmonious working environment with other arms of government for the betterment of the citizens.