Some opposition parties among the members-elect in the House of Representatives have pledged to work together to protect democracy in the 10th National Assembly.
After a meeting on Tuesday night at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, they pledged their commitment towards a great alliance in the 10th National Assembly.
The opposition lawmakers include members elected under the umbrella of Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, All Progressive Grand Alliance, Young Progressive Alliance, Action Democratic Congress and Social Democratic Party.
The parties adopted as their slogan, “Greater Majority,” this is because the total number of member-elect from all the oppositions is greater than the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The number of APC members elected to the lower chamber is 162 while the opposition added together is 165.
Though about 57 seats would be contested in the rescheduled Independent National Electoral Commission supplementary elections slated for April 15 in some parts of the country.
Speaking on behalf of the PDP, Beni Lar (PDP-Plateau), a serving representative who got re-elected, said for the first time in the history of the House of Representatives, the opposition would become the majority.
She said,
”With commitment from members-elect, “we can protect our democratic values and each of us has a role to play.
”We shall remain focused and play our roles as vibrant opposition. We will work together to define our interests and bring about good leadership”.
Mr George Ozodinobi, LP member-elect from Anambra said the alliance would attract mutual benefits that would lead to a formidable opposition in the 10th assembly.
He said,
“We believe this will attract mutual benefit and this will not in any way jettisoned our belief as a member of LP. Our character and integrity shall define us.”
Mr Abdulmumini Jibrin, said,
”The reason we have to come together tonight is for us to protect our ideals, the minority has to check the ruling party.
“We must put ourselves together, let us continue the way we started today to keep doing our best while also protecting individual ideal and ideology”.
Mr Pascal Abudike, APGA member-elect Anambra, said,
”We have to bond together to achieve our desired goals. We have the number to negotiate and get the wherewithal. Let us keep our personal interests aside.
“I am aware that there are many positions but we demand proper and equitable distribution of positions. The togetherness we are enjoying from PDP has never been witnessed”.