A Coalition of Southeast Civil Society and Human Rights Organizations (CSCSHRO) have pleaded with the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to immediately zone the position of the Speaker of House of Representatives to the southeast.
The groups, at a press briefing in Enugu, on Wednesday, through their coordinators, Dr Jasper Uche and Comrade Ibuchukwu Ezike, said this was necessary in the spirit of equity, justice and fairness, calling on the returning and newly elected members of the lower chamber from the six geo-political zones of the country to support the initiative.
They advocated for the election of the member representing Isiukwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency, Abia state, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha as Speaker, stating that “the ruling APC would have justified its mantra of change by zoning the position to the southeast and allowing a woman to occupy it in the spirit of gender mainstreaming.”
Calling on women organizations in the country to support the initiative by standing to be counted, the Coalition stated that “Nigeria allowing a woman to occupy the position would make them feel belonged in the scheme of things.”
They stated Onyejeocha “has cognate experience as a ranking member, having spent 12 years in the National Assembly with outstanding results”, adding that “the odds favoured the southeast to produce the Speaker, since the zone had produced Senate President, Deputy Senate President and Deputy Speaker, adding that “correct political correctness demands that we allow other zones to take a shot at the positions previously held by the southeast”.
They continued: “At a time when the world is calling for greater inclusion of women in the political office, Nigeria would be seen as walking the talk.
“Moreover, women from the southeast had given good account of themselves when they served the nation. The likes of Late Prof Dora Akunyili, Dr Mrs Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Obiageli Ezekwesili, Arumma Oteh among others”.
The group said Onyejeocha has character and clean record of public office, stressing that she had always aligned with the people in all her legislative strides.
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