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CUPP Backs APC Zoning Formula For 10th NASS Leadership

Ikenga Ugochinyere said he would have opposed the candidates endorsed by the APC if they lacked capacity.


FILE: CUPP Spokesman, Ikenga Ugochinyere

 

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has thrown its weight behind the zoning formula endorsed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for principal officers of the 10th National Assembly.

At a conference in the Abuja, the spokesperson for the CUPP and member-elect Ikenga Ugochinyere said but for capacity, competency and character of the candidates endorsed by the APC, he would have led an opposition against them like he did in 2015.

The member-elect, who recalled that the Senate Presidency has been in the North for the past 16 years, said equity demands the seat be occupied by a ranking senator from the South, especially the South-South to ensure religious stability and justice.

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He further said if for any reason anyone is planning on opposing the candidature of Senator Godswill Akpabio, other ranking Senators from the South like Orji Kalu, Osita Izunaso and Patrick Ndubueze should be considered rather than another region entirely.

Ugochinyere also noted that he has interacted with all his colleagues who have indicated interest for the position of Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the soon-to-be-inaugurated 10th National Assembly and arrived at the conclusion that Tajudeen Abass and Ben Kalu are the right candidates for the positions.

He maintained that they are both experienced with many sponsored bills to their names in the Ninth NASS and over 20 signed by President Muhammadu Buhari into law.

He said this position is equally shared with 63 other members-elect of the opposition parties who have a common vision for the 10th NASS.