By Monsuru Olowoopejo

As the race towards the next Speaker of the House of Representatives intensified, A Pan-yoruba political group, the Yoruba Youth Movement, YYM on Thursday endorsed Emeka Nwajiuba for the seat.

File: House of Assembly

The group also said its decision was in consideration of loyalty and experience in which it rated Nwajiuba as first among equals.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Kola Kayode, in Ibadan, Oyo State, YYM argued that its decision on Nwajiuba was basically to balance the equation among the six geo-political zones of the country.

We’ve passed over 70 bills, 188 resolutions so far — Edo House of Assembly(Opens in a new browser tab)

While many had expected that the group endorsed Femi Gbajabiamila or other candidates, YYM stressed that it choice candidate was also not selected based on religion rather on competence.

“If we look at it religiously, you will see that a southern Christian is what is needed to balance the scales in the ninth House of Representatives,” the group argued.

According to the YYM, between 2015 and now, the Southeast had doubled its votes in national elections” and so the distribution of the positions of principal officers of the House of Representatives should reflect national unity, balance and cohesion, with the Southeast having the speakership slot.

“Since the presidency is in the North-West, VP in the Southwest; Northeast angling for Senate presidency, South-South gunning for Deputy Senate presidency; North Central, deputy Speaker, the speakership should simply go to the Southeast.

“And talking about the Southeast, Nwajiuba’s loyalty to President Buhari since 2003 is a clear demonstration of the needed qualities,” it added.

The group noted that Nwajiuba, who was House Committee Chairman on Land, Works and Housing, was initially a senior adviser to one-time Speaker, Aminu Bello Masari.

Naira converges around N360/$ at major Forex markets (Opens in a new browser tab)

“This experience, when combined with his three law degrees, makes him eminently qualified for the role of Speakership,” the group argued.

It added: “Beyond his consistent loyalty to the president, he was a key actor in the APC constitution drafting committee and much later ranking member of the House of Rep between 1999 and 2003”, the OYM emphasized.