By Emman Ovuakporie

ABUJA—AN   aspirant for the position of Speaker, House of Representatives in the eighth Assembly, Pally Iriase, yesterday, said that going by permutations in the run-up to the contest, he was sure he would be the bridge that the All Progressives Congress, APC, needs to have a smooth sailing in the Green Chamber.

Iriase who disclosed this to members of the House of Representatives Press Corps said that though he would respect the position of the party when it finally zones the position, each member is expected constitutionally to vote independently since representatives’ certificates of return did not bear any affiliation to particular parties.

On how he can swing votes in his favour, Iriase said; “The South South caucus in the House will be excited if they have somebody like me especially with my interaction with them. Once the party gives the nod, they will be too willing to support me. The only snag is that majority of members from the geo-political zone are PDP.

“However, remember that every member-elect has certificate of return not associated with any party and any body with that certificate is eligible to vote. A member requires a simple majority which in this case is 181 members to be elected speaker. Remember the PDP has 139 members and the opposition party feels this fatherless child will be more amenable, your guess is as good as mine.”

The member who is among the only four members coming from the entire South South and South East geo political zone under the APC in the eighth House of Reps said his aspiration is driven by the desire to provide a complementary leadership in the House to the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari as a zero tolerant leader to corruption in our public life.

He added, “my aspiration is enabled and anchored on the federal character provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. My aspiration is based on my robust experience and undeniable qualification for the post of Speaker. My aspiration is propelled by my desire to champion a legislative agenda that gives meaning and practical expression to the change mantra of the incoming administration of APC.”