Newly elected members of the House of Representatives have formed a pressure group tagged ‘New Dawn’ to chart a course for the emergence of new leadership of the 10th Assembly.
A statement signed by Joshua Chinedu Obika, member-elect for AMAC/Bwari federal constituency on Monday indicated that the group held its inaugural meeting at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.
Convener of the group, and member-elect for Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben , Marcus Onobun, said the idea behind the formation of the group is to chart a new course that will foster unity of Nigeria through purposeful legislative engagement for the house.
Onobun who is the speaker of Edo State Assembly said the 120 members group that cuts across political divides is determined and unanimous in working with every member of the Green Chamber to birth a new Nigeria through robust legislation that will impact on the lives of the citizens.
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“The New Dawn caucus of the 10th assembly is a group of intellectuals from different political parties, APC, PDP, NNPP, APGA, LP, SDP, ADC, YPP and others. It consists of new members- elect who are just coming into the national assembly and have done well in their various fields of endeavors regardless of political affiliations or religious background to be able to chart a new course for Nigeria.
“In terms of legislation, the caucus will be concerned with making bills, policy drive, and welfare for members and look out at areas where Nigerians have yearned for legislation and champion those courses. Above all we will work towards choosing a leader in the house of representative regardless of party affiliation.”
“It means that we want to be part and parcel of choosing the leadership of the house and we are trying to look at the North by profiling all the aspirants for speakership and other positions and taking a decision as a block to give votes to who will become the speaker.”
Speaking in the vein, the member-elect for Oron/Mbo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko federal constituency of Akwa Ibom State, Martins Esin, said the group is made up of new members that are passionate about the development of the country
On his part, Jeremiah Umaru, Member –elect for Akwanga/Wamba Nasarawa Eggon Federal constituency of Nasarawa State said the new group is poised to support leadership that will do the bidding of the Nigerian people.
Also, pastor Ojema Ojotu, member elect, Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency Benue, (PDP), said the last election has shown clearly that Nigerians are tired of the status quo.
“We are conscious of the fact that our people seem to be tired of the status quo and there is a strong desire for a shift. If you look at the pattern of voting and the way and manner we came in, you will discover that there is no better way to explain that desire than that,” he said.