Speakership: We’ll consult governors, party leaders before we adopt a candidate - Reps-elect

By Christiana Ekpa

The Convener of “Greater Majority” Rep. Fredrick Agbedi (PDP-Bayelsa), on Monday said that the group has not adopted any candidate for the 10th speaker of the House of Representatives ahead of the June 13 inauguration, even as he said that, the Caucus will consult their Governors and Party Leaders before endorsing any Candidate for the Speakership position .

Agbedi who disclosed this at a meeting of the greater majority caucus in Abuja yesterday said the caucus had not adopted anybody for the office of the presiding officer, adding that such would only take place when the agreement was reached and it would be a collective decision.

According to him, if we must get it right or do the right thing, we need to be guided and we need to interact with our colleagues from various states.

He further said that party and other critical stakeholders would be consulted in arriving at a decision that would be a win for the group.

He said: “Let me quickly say that if we must do the right thing, if we must actually represent our people, we need to be guided and to be guided, we mean that we need to interact with our leaders in our constituencies, we need to interact with our colleagues from the various States, we need to interact with our party stakeholders and all that in arriving at a decision that will be well for us.

“Your conveners and other leaders have not either on your behalf or for you adopted anybody for the office of presiding officers. That will only take place when that agreement is reached by all of us. That decision will be our collective decision. But I am even saying before we get to that decision, we are going to ensure that take for example, I come from Bayelsa State, I should be able to speak with my governors, party leaders so that whatever I key into is with the understanding that my state leaders are on the same page with and that’s what we expect of all of us to do. So, that we don’t ambush Mr. A or Mr. B.

“So, I wan to assure you that we will lead ourselves to arrive at a collective decision and in doing that, we have also resolved to have State coordinators who are going to meet at their different State levels, eventually also have zonal coordinators who will also work at the zonal level in collating decision that they will finally come up with after due consultation. And that’s why we have invited all of us to this meeting so that we all know who and who will coordinate our States and also who will coordinate our zones so that we give the responsibility back to you, interact, consult and then chose the direction to go.

“In all the interactions we have made, our leaders have authoritatively told us that they have not given mandate to their members-elect to identify with Mr. A or Mr. B. The only mandate and directive they gave to our people is to network, interact and give them the feedback. And at the appropriate time, decisions will be made, agreements will be reached, alliances formed and then as minorities, we will be doing some sort of agreement as to what direction to go. So, as I stand here, I have not been given any mandate by my party ot governor as to what to do.”

He said the coordinators would ensure that the decision of stakeholders were collated and communicated to members.

He said the caucus would in addition, have a retreat at Uyo, the Bayelsa State capital, adding that all the opposition parties had been communicated about the retreat.

According to him, in all interaction our leaders have told us that they have not giving mandate to our memberselect to identify with anyone but to network and collate what is going on

He said the caucus had been able to show that it was a strong minority group and would deepen democracy and stand up for the teaming Nigerians that were suffering.

Jack-Rich celebrates wife, Elizabeth on her birthday

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

ARivers State born oil magnet, Tein Jack-Rich has celebrated his wife on her birthday, saying she remains instrument to gather people in leadership together.

The birthday message which he wrote to her says “Dear Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Itunuayo JackRich, Your birthday is here again, at a time so needed as instrument to gather Nigerians in leadership, not leaving behind dreamers of all works of life, to share love and break bread.

“I am greatly honored and privileged to say that it came at an occasion of good feat to continue to speak to Nigerians at home and abroad, sharing the need for a new dawn in our great Country.

“Your service to humanity shall fetch the needed cohesion for a rebirth and achieve public good. As your birthday throws the smiles of a new beginning needed for a prosperous and more sustainable future under cutting-edge visionary leadership, participants shall leave with an embodiment of fulfillment.

“I am sure your birthday celebration shall usher in that hope for secured peace, renewed hope for the less opportune, supplies for the good and advancement of society. May the smiles of love on your birthday beautify all in need, filling us with the true love of life and Let Love Lead. Happy Birthday Love”