Coalition makes case for south-south Christians for 10th NASS

As the battle for the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives rages, more groups have joined the call for the position to be ceded to the South.

The latest call is from the Progressive Parliamentary Support Alliance (PPSA), a coalition of Civil Society Organizations that claim it is expedient for the position of a Deputy Speaker to be zoned to a Christian lawmaker from the South-South region.

The Coalition disclosed its position in a statement jointly issued by its Chairman, Bala Mohammed and Secretary, Boboye Akinrefon.

While urging President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cede the position of Deputy Speaker in the 10th Assembly to Christian from the South-South geo-political zone, the group claimed the move will balance religion, equity and justice in tandem with the federal character principle.

The coalition emphasised the need to ensure that Christians have adequate representation in the leadership of the 10th Green Chamber, arguing that a diligent assessment of lawmakers from the South-South region, shows there are capable hands, to handle the position.

The group said although it was not opposed to the idea of a Muslim Speaker in the 10th Assembly, it would only be fair for religious balance to be applied, especially among the two Principal Officers, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

“This becomes very germane to the principles of fairness and equity. Recall that Nigerians and the Christian community took it in good faith when the leadership of APC resorted to the Muslim-Muslim joint ticket in the 9th Assembly.

“And it is very expedient to point out that with the Muslim-Muslim joint ticket which was replicated with the choice of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kasim Shettima, the Parliament should reflect religious balancing.

“From a series of assessments carried out on all the three geo-political zones – South South, South West and South East, we can attest to the character and personality of Honourable Reverend Francis Waive as the man fit for the job.

While it appears that lawmakers from the South-South are silent on the position of Deputy Speaker, a member representing Ughelli North, South Udu Federal Constituency of Delta State, Francis Waive, has shown interest in the position.

Waive, who is the incumbent Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Power in the 9th Assembly, declared his intention for the deputy speakership position of the 10th Assembly earlier in the month