Say he’s better option for North Central
By Christiana Ekpa
Following agitation by the House of Representatives members that the speakership position should be zone to the North Central, there are strong indications that most lawmakers for the 9th House of Representatives have declared support for the candidature of Hon Ahmed Idris Wase for speaker.
Peoples Daily gathered that both returning and newly-elected members for the 9th House are queuing behind Wase, who represents Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau State.
Wase, who is returning to the House for the fourth time, is among the top contenders for the speaker’s seat.
Some of the lawmakers who gathered them in an office where they held meeting in support of Wase, told our correspondent that they were more at home with Wase over other contenders for the office.
“You see, we can not come out openly to ask to quote any of us here but we can give you a privilege information that we are more at home with the leadership qualities of Hon Wase any day than any of the contesters” one of them stress.
According to the lawmakers Wase’s leadership qualities, humility and grasp for legislative work stand him out among the other contenders.
Another lawmaker said Wase has all it takes to lead the House peacefully because “he enjoys that support and understanding of almost all returning members.”
Further investigation by our reporter shows that even some of the lawmakers that indicated interest to vie for the speaker’s office are ready to forego their ambitions and join hands with Wase for his emergence.
“Among all the contenders, Wase appears to be more matured, and he knows how to handle people. He is a very calm and gentle man that can fit the position of Speaker very well.
“I can assure you that most members are comfortable with Wase because he never had issues with anybody. Besides, he has listening ears.
“He ensured fairness and correction of imbalances when he served as chairman federal character committee. He operates an open door policy. He always listens to members each time they come to him with an issue.
“He is someone that doesn’t raise his shoulders despite the fact that he’s one of the ranking members of the House. So, many members are really ready to see that he becomes speaker,” the lawmaker, who did not want to be named said.
Another member simply said: “Wase is gaining more support from our colleagues. He is really a good man. Everyone among our colleagues can attest to that. He doesn’t have problem with any member, and he has helped us in many ways to get jobs for our people.”
Another bone of contention is whether the power that be and the leadership of the party are giving their backing to the lawmaker considering the fact that it was gathered that the leader of the party has a preferred candidate who is not from the North Central zone.
