Indications emerged on Wednesday that the 20 returning members of the All Progressives Congress in the Lagos State House of Assembly will hold a crucial meeting on Thursday (today) to finalise modalities in choosing the Speaker for the 8th Assembly.
Our correspondent gathered that the leadership of the party had directed the 20 returning legislators to reach a consensus on the most competent candidate to steer the affairs of the Assembly.
A source, who did not want his name in print, told our correspondent that the outcome of the second-term lawmakers’ meeting would largely influence the choice of the new Speaker.
Thirteen legislators are returning for second term, four are on third term, while three of the legislators are on fourth term.
The source said, “We have 20 APC lawmakers returning to the Assembly. We are going to be joined by 12 new members, while the Peoples Democratic Party has 8 members in the Assembly.
“The meeting is only for the 20 returning lawmakers and the two-term legislators are in the majority. It will be a critical meeting because we cannot afford to elect a Speaker who is incapable of leading the House when it is inaugurated.”
According to the source, the meeting will be used to select a Speaker, which will be backed by other APC lawmakers.
“The ratification of the choice we make on Thursday (today) by the House on June 4, will be a mere formality because members would have known who they want as Speaker,” the source added.
Our correspondent also learnt that among the seven major contenders for the position, only two were still in the race.
A third-term lawmaker, who preferred not to be named, said his colleagues would choose a Speaker capable of being a friend to both the executive and the lawmakers.
He said, “A Speaker who will carry other members along; one who will be not be greedy. A Speaker who will understand the principles of democracy, display intelligence and core values of performance is who we want.
“I do not care the zone the next Speaker comes from, performance is what I want to see. There is no need to use zoning because the House prides itself as House of excellence and we must be seen to display such always.”
Our correspondent further gathered that many of the lawmakers moved against the principle of zoning.
If it is to be adhered to, the next Speaker will emerge from Lagos Central since the Governor-elect, Ambode is from Lagos-East while his Deputy, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, is from Lagos-West.
(The Punch)
