...By Joseph Benjamin for TDPel Media.
The majority of the minority caucus of the House of Representatives has clarified that it has not endorsed any of the aspirants for the speakership position.
This announcement was made during a meeting of the minority caucus held in Abuja.
Consultation and Guidance: Key Principles
During the meeting, convener Hon. Fred Agbedi (PDP, Bayelsa) emphasized the importance of consulting with respective governors and party leaders before taking a position.
He stated that to truly represent their constituents and make the right decision, it is essential to seek guidance and interact with leaders at various levels.
Collective Decision and Stakeholder Engagement
Agbedi emphasized that neither the conveners nor other leaders had adopted any candidate on behalf of the caucus.
He stressed that the decision on endorsing a candidate would only be made when all members collectively reach an agreement.
Furthermore, he emphasized the need for interactions with state governors, party leaders, and stakeholders to ensure alignment and prevent any surprises or unilateral decisions.
Establishing Coordinators for Decision-making
To facilitate a collective decision-making process, the caucus has resolved to appoint state coordinators who will gather input and feedback from members within their respective states.
Additionally, zonal coordinators will be appointed to collate decisions at the zonal level.
The aim is to ensure that decisions are reached through thorough consultation and with the involvement of all caucus members.
Leaders’ Mandate: Networking and Feedback
Agbedi highlighted that party leaders had explicitly stated that they had not given a mandate to their members-elect to align with any specific candidate.
Instead, the mandate provided was to network, interact, and provide feedback.
The intention is to gather information, form alliances, and reach agreements at the appropriate time, allowing the minority caucus to collectively decide on the best direction to take.
No Mandate from Party or Governor
Agbedi affirmed that he had not received any specific mandate from his party or governor regarding which candidate to support.
The focus is on consultation, interaction, and collectively deciding the caucus’s direction as a minority group.
Conclusion: Upholding a Consultative Approach
The minority caucus of the House of Representatives has reiterated its commitment to a consultative approach in deciding on the speakership position.
The caucus emphasizes the importance of engaging with leaders, seeking feedback, and making decisions collectively.
Through coordination at the state and zonal levels, the caucus aims to ensure the involvement and input of all members, paving the way for a well-informed and united decision-making process.
