By: Kehinde Akintola – Abuja
The House of Representatives Members-elect across opposition political parties during the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections on Tuesday night met ahead of the inauguration of the 10th Assembly.
The lawmakers, who attended were from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Social Democratic Party (SDP) Youth Progressive Party (YPP), and New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP).
From the information released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) so far, 324 members have won the House of Representatives seats where APC won 162 seats, PDP 102, LP 34, NNPP 18, APGA 4, both ADC and SDP won 2 seats each while YPP won 1 seat.
However, INEC is expected to conduct supplementary elections in the 33 Federal constituencies on the 15th April, 2023.
However, out of the two lawmakers from African Democratic Congress (ADC), only one was present at the meeting while Hon. Leke Abejide was absent.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the meeting, Hon. Dachung Bago (PDP-Plateau) paid homage to the most ranking lawmakers, Hon. Nicholas Mutuas as well as fifth timers; Hon. Beni Lar (PDP-Plateau) and Hon. Wole Oke (PDP-Osun).
Also in the meeting were third timers; Hon. Jonathan Gaza, Abdulmumin Jibrin (NNPP-Kano), Hon. Bamidele Salam (PDP-Osun) who is a second timer, among others.
At the meeting, the lawmakers unanimously adopted the slogan: “10th Assembly, greater majority”.
In his brief remarks, Hon. Bago expressed optimism that the Minority Caucuses “will achieve what nobody thinks we can achieve.”
In his address, Hon. Fred Agbedi, who congratulated all the members of the opposition parties, urged them to see Nigeria as their constituencies.
According to him, the meeting was organised “to enable us to network and familiarise ourselves,” adding that with the outcome of the elections, the Minority Caucuses is having greater numbers to deepen the role of the opposition in the House.
The leader of the Labour Party who spoke on behalf of the lawmakers expressed optimism that the meeting of the Minority Caucuses will help achieve mutual benefits, adding that our commitment will reflect the ideology of the Labour Party.
He added that the resolution of the LP Caucus in the choice of the House leadership will be based on competence, character and integrity.
On her part, Hon. Beni Lar averred that for the first time the Minority Caucuses in the House.
“I believe with our numbers, our doggedness and our strength we can achieve a lot,” she noted.
She expressed optimism that the likes of Abdulmumin Jibrin will not succumb amidst oppression.
While urging all the Minority Caucuses to remain united, she harped on the need to define their collective interests and friendship in order to strengthen democratic structure in the 10th Assembly.
Also speaking, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, enjoined lawmakers to know that whatever meeting they are invited to, the truth may not be laid bare.
Details later…
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