By Shola Abayomi.
The People’s Democratic Party may have confirmed its indifference in eyeing the Speakership position in the 9th House of Representatives.
As part of the resolution reached at the party’s caucus meeting in Abuja, the PDP has directed its members to support any candidate of their choice from the All Progressives Congress (APC) aspiring for the positions of the presiding officers of the 9th House.
The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Leo Ogor, confirmed the party’s stance in a statement, which he explained was taken in the interest of the nation.
Ogor said: “While the nation looks forward to the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly, the PDP House Caucus is leaving no stone unturned in furtherance of its resolute determination to proactively decide the final outcome of the ongoing contest for leadership of the House in ways that would ultimately ensure that the people’s will ultimately prevails.
“While we further our unflinching commitment to the principles and ethos of democracy, the PDP House Caucus has endorsed its members’ decision to work with Speakership aspirants from the ruling party, thereby allowing all who feel thus inclined, the freedom to attend all meetings, participate in campaigns, strategy sessions and other activities of any Speakership aspirant of their choice.
“While the PDP House Caucus has taken the decision with clear focus on the national interest as well as the future strategic goals of our party, we are not unaware that a few may unfortunately feel inclined to go overboard, nibbling dangerously at carrots dangled before them without adequately heeding appropriate guidelines.
“Nonetheless, such risks have to be taken occasionally as part of sacrifice for the national interest – an overriding consideration for us in our great party”, he said in the statement.