A group of All Progressives Congress (APC) youths from the North-central has frowned at the party’s zoning formula for the Speakership position in the 9th House of Representatives.
On Thursday, members of the group under the aegis of APC North-central Coalition, staged a peaceful protest to the party’s national secretariat in Abuja to register their complaint.
The action came barely five days to the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly, and election of its leaders.
In April, the ruling APC zoned the speakership seat to the South-West and endorsed Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (Surulere Federal Constituency) as its candidate.
Although the position of Deputy Speaker is reserved for the North Central, the youths argued that the zone deserved nothing less than the number one seat.
Addressing the rally, spokesman of the Coalition, Mr Yakubu Usman, said there should be equity, fairness and justice in the election of leaders of the 9th House of Representatives.
Usman said the current zoning formula negates the principle of inclusiveness and equitable representation.
He enjoined the APC to zone the speakership slot to the North Central, having secured the third largest number of votes in the last presidential election.
He expressed the group’s support for the speakership bid of Hon. John Dyegh, the member representing Gboko/Tarka Federal constituency of Benue State.
Dyegh, 56, has been in the upper legislative chamber since 2011, and is defying his party to contest for the seat.
Usman stated that as a “young and experienced” lawmaker, Dyegh has the energy and competence to provide quality leadership in the House.
“Hon. Dyegh and the entire North Central contributed immensely to the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the zone.
“So, we are calling on the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to put our agitation into consideration,” Usman said.
The group subsequently submitted a formal request to the party’s national leadership.