10th Assembly leadership: Group backs Jaji for speakership position

By Clement Adeyi

The Arewa Youth Initiative for Good Governance (AYIGGI) has thrown its weight behind Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji for the House of Representatives speakership position.

This was disclosed in a statement
by the National Coordinator, Comrade Ibrahim Mohammed,
when the group endorsed
the candidature of Hon. Aminu for the position at a press conference in Abuja.

The group called on all the members of the House of Representatives both old and new, and the APC leadership to throw their weight behind Hon Jaji because “he is a man who can lead the house considering his sagacity, charisma, character and eloquence.”

We must admit that the best among them should be supported and given the mandate to lead

“While we appreciate the competence and eligibility of all those vying for the post of Speaker, we must admit that the best among them should be supported and given the mandate to lead. The Arewa Youth Initiative for Good Governance which is a coalition of twenty (20) Registered Northern Youth Association therefore unanimously resolved to endorse Hon Aminu Sani Jaji as the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.”

According to Comrade Mohammed, Hon Jaji, as Chairman House of Representatives Committee on National Security, Intelligence and Public Safety, had demonstrated capacity and character in the discharge of his parliamentary duties.

He added that his aspiration was not premised on regional, ethnic and religious sentiment.

He described Jaji as a pan Nigerian whose friendship cut across all the regions of the country.

The Arewa Youth Initiative leader also pointed out that the group’s support for Hon. Jaji was based on his good antecedence and commitment to sustaining democracy and good governance over the years.

Comrade Mohammed further stressed that Hon Jaji was familiar with leadership tasks as he is a passionate leader who had, on several occasions, demonstrated his grasp of issues related to national question of sustainable growth and development.

The group reiterated that Hon Jaji was in the race for the speakership position with an overriding interest to run an all-inclusive house where national unity, peace and development will take the front stage.

Mohammed stressed that Hon. Jaji’s vision was to ensure an abiding cooperation among members and chart the course for a mutually respectable relationship with the executive without compromising the independence of the legislative.

The group called on the All Progressives Party (APC) leadership to jettison zoning in the choice of the speaker of the House.

Mohammed, stressed that the issue of leadership of the 10th National Assembly shouldn’t be contentious as being portrayed by aspirants, stressing that there should be a level-playing field, considering the fact that the party could not boast of outright majority in the House.

“We are not unaware that the just- concluded general election undoubtedly almost tore the country apart. Religious and ethnic sentiments played dominant roles in the election. The ethnic and religious strife that played up demand urgent attention which Hon Jaji is well equipped to handle with the collaboration of the executive arm,” he said.