Some opposition parties’ House of Representatives members-elect under the standards have pledged to work together to protect democracy in the 10th National Assembly.
Rising from a meeting on Tuesday night at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, they pledged commitment to a great alliance in the 10th National Assembly.
The lawmakers include members elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, All Progressive Grand Alliance, Young Progressive Alliance, Action Democratic Congress and Social Democratic Party.
The parties adopted as their slogan, “Greater Majority,” because as it stands, the total number of member-elect from the opposition is greater than the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The current APC members elected to the lower chamber is 162 while the opposition put together is 165.
Though about 57 seats would be contested in the rescheduled Independent National Electoral Commission supplementary elections slated for April 15 in some parts of the country, Rep. Beni Lar (PDP-Plateau), a serving member who also got re-elected, speaking on behalf of the PDP, said for the first time in the history of the House of Representatives, the opposition would become the majority.
”With commitment from members-elect, “we can protect our democratic values and each of us has a role to play.
”We shall remain focused and play our roles as vibrant opposition. We will work together to define our interests and bring about good leadership,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr George Ozodinobi, LP member-elect from Anambra said the alliance would attract mutual benefits that would lead to a formidable opposition in the 10th assembly.
“We believe this will attract mutual benefit and this will not in any way jettisoned our belief as a member of LP. Our character and integrity shall define us.”
A former House of Reps member and now NNPP member-elect from Kano, Mr Abdulmumini Jibrin, said the opposition must ensure it protects the nation’s democracy.
”The reason we have to come together tonight is for us to protect our ideals, the minority has to check the ruling party.
“We must put ourselves together, let us continue the way we started today to keep doing our best while also protecting individual ideal and ideology,” he said.
Mr Pascal Abudike, APGA member-elect Anambra, urged the lawmakers elect to always be their brother’s keeper.
According to him, we are a greater majority among minority. We have seven political parties that came to form this opposition.
”We have to bond together to achieve our desired goals. We have the number to negotiate and get the wherewithal. Let us keep our personal interests aside.
“I am aware that there are many positions but we demand proper and equitable distribution of positions. The togetherness we are enjoying from PDP has never been witnessed.
Reports has it that in June, the new 10th Assembly will be inaugurated shortly after May 29 when the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu will be sworn in as the President.
According to reports, out of 360 seats in the House of Reps, the APC currently has 162 and needs a total of 181 members to form the majority to single handedly determine who becomes the speaker.
Meanwhile, the APC would need to win a total of 33 seats in the April 15 election to achieve this, currently, the opposition parties have won a total of 165 seats, thereby making the minority stronger if united.
NAN
