A coalition of civil society organisations under the aegis of Progressive Parliamentary Support Alliance (PPSA) has urged all members-elect in the 10th Assembly to unanimously cede the deputy speaker’s position to a Christian from the South-South region.
The coalition’s position was conveyed via a statement jointly issued by its chairman, Bala Mohammed and Secretary, Boboye Akinrefon and made available to Parliamentary Correspondents in Abuja.
They expressed solidarity for the incumbent Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Power, Honourable Reverend Francis Waive, member representing Ughelli North Ughelli South Udu Federal Constituency of Delta State.
The coalition said the election of a Christian deputy speaker will go a long way to ensure religious balance, equity and justice in tandem with the federal character principle in the 10th Assembly.
The coalition said Waive has all it takes to deputize the next Speaker in the 10th Assembly.
The group specifically emphasised the need to ensure that Christians have adequate representation in the body of principal officers in the Green Chamber.
The group argued that after a diligent assessment of all the lawmakers from the South South region, it found Waive worthy of being elected as the deputy speaker.
Waive is the incumbent deputy chairman, House Committee on Power and had been a member of several Standing Committees in the 9th Assembly.
