Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has urged the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to constitute reconciliation committees that would unite the members of the party nationwide. This call was made at the APC stakeholders’ meeting for the Northwest in Kaduna on Sunday.
Abbas noted that some members of the APC were aggrieved, which was why there was the need to reconcile and make peace with them. He emphasized that the party should focus on governance and forget past issues, embracing one another and working towards success.
The Speaker also urged Ganduje to use his position to address the high turnover rate of members of the National Assembly, saying APC members who perform well should be given the opportunity to return in 2027. He emphasized that the National Assembly is an institution where the older you are in the system, the better you become.
Abbas commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving some key positions to the Northwest, saying the zone should appreciate him by redoubling its efforts in 2027. He noted that this is the first time that the Speaker, the Deputy President of the Senate, and the National Chairman of the party are emerging from the zone.
The Speaker called on party leaders at different levels to support the party structures, saying attention is given to the party only during elections, but nothing moves after elections. He implored leaders to support the party at all times, which is the only way to guarantee success.
On the ongoing constitution amendment by the National Assembly, Speaker Abbas said this is an opportunity for the Northwest to identify areas for improvement. He suggested replicating the 8th Assembly’s approach, empowering senators and members to interact with their constituencies and vote based on their people’s mandates. Some of the critical areas identified in the constitution review include state police, local government autonomy, women’s inclusion in politics and governance, and the role of traditional institutions.
Overall, Speaker Abbas’ message emphasized the need for unity, support, and reconciliation within the APC to ensure success and progress for the party and the country.
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