Opposition Federal Lawmakers Form Alliance To Counter ‘Excesses’ Of Ruling APC At 10th Assembly

The House of Representatives members-elect from the six minority political parties on Tuesday night met ahead of the inauguration of the 10th Assembly.

The meeting, according to a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, who appeared on Channels Television’s program, Politics Today, on Wednesday, stated that the essence of the meeting of the opposition federal lawmakers was to pull their strength together so as to be relevant in law making.

According to Jibrin, from all indications, the ruling APC will not be able to muster controlling majority membership in the lower house and as such, as parties with greater majority, it provides them opportunity to come together so as to checkmate excesses or arrogance of members of the ruling party.

He was emphatic that the opposition members will not be agitating for their members for the speakership position, but would ensure that their members ensure that only acceptable person to all members emerges as the speaker.

According to him, judging by the caliber of ranking returning members of APC, the exercise will be devoid of arrogance that could bring crisis into the chamber, but should that happen, the numerical strength of the opposition members would checkmate them.

Jibrin said: “We understand that for us to be able to push through our collective interest, for us to be able to protect our ideals as minority parties that fundamentally serve as a check to the ruling party, and to be able to contribute to nation building, we must come together.”

Also a ranking lawmaker, Hon. Fred Agbedi from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the meeting was held to enable the lawmakers-elect network, interact and familiarise before their inauguration.

Agbedi said that the minority caucuses have the highest number of elected lawmakers in the 10th assembly, giving them greater strength to deepen opposition politics and democracy.
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On her part, Hon. Beni Lar, another ranking member, said the minority caucuses can achieve a “common goal” if they are united.

“All of us put together are now the majority and a greater majority. This is something that many parliaments around the world seek to achieve but cannot achieve. I believe that with our numbers, strength and with our doggedness, we can achieve our common goal and purpose,” she said.