*Joint ticket has backing of over 290 members-elect
Udora Orizu in Abuja
The joint ticket of Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, as announced by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has received further boost, following its unanimous adoption by all the 55 elected Representatives from the South-South geopolitical zone.
The adoption which took place at the residence of one of the longest serving members of the House, Hon. Nicholas Mutu, (PDP, Delta) on Sunday night in Abuja has now brought the number of lawmakers backing the ticket to over 290.
The event was witnessed by all members of the Caucus except two, with the Caucus made up of elected legislators from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers respectively.
Addressing the speakership candidate and his Deputy, at the meeting, one of the leaders of the Caucuses from the zone, Hon. Unyime Idem from Akwa Ibom stated that the zone has come to a point where it must key into the vision and agendas of the Abbas/Kalu ticket, vigorously promoted by the Joint Task – 10th Assembly Coalition.
Idem, who’s also a zonal coordinator of the Joint Task, a coalition of 8 political parties that won seats in the 10th Assembly, expressed gratitude to his colleagues from the South South for trusting him with the task of conveying their decision to the Joint Task.
“I consider it a great privilege welcoming our incoming Speaker and Deputy by the grace of God. As a coordinator of the Joint Task it gives me pleasure to announce to your Excellencies that we have 55 out 55 members of the South South Caucus who have penned their signatures in support of the joint ticket. I therefore want to assure you that we will have the whole 55 as they are going to appear in the chamber on Tuesday to give you 55 votes from the South South geopolitical zone,” Hon. Idem said.
In response to the announcement, the co-chairman of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo (APC, Gombe), thanked Hon. Idem for his leadership so far in the course of the campaign.
“This 55-over-55 is something we are not surprised, given the level of support we have enjoyed from key members of the Caucus including yourself who have been with us in this journey right from the start. As I stand before you, raised by destiny and privilege to steer this ship, I have my elder brothers with me particularly from the South-South such as Hon Kingsley Chinda. I want to say that the zone has paid its due and what’s remaining now is for Hon. TJ Abbas and Kalu to reciprocate at the end of the day. And I want to assure you that by the character of the incoming Speaker and his Deputy, you will not be disappointed,”. Hon. Kumo said.
The Deputy Speakership candidate, Benjamin Kalu expressed gratitude to the zonal Caucus for believing in their struggle to institutionalize a legislature anchored on the principles of equity and inclusiveness.
“I stand here also as part of the South and I said to myself that getting the South East and South West to endorse us, wasn’t going to be complete for me without having the South South, and thank God the South South has completed the circle by adopting us and we are so very grateful. I want to appreciate you for coming in your numbers and you have also invested in this project, invested money-wise even when some people didn’t believe in us then. But many notable South South lawmakers have shown great interest and commitment with some appearing on TV to shout it to the world about this project and today we are witnessing the result of that effort,” Kalu said
