Contenders emerge for Niger Speakership

It is expected to be a strong legislative battle on Tuesday as the incoming and returning Legislators of the Niger state House of Assembly conveys for the inauguration of the 9th Assembly and the election of a new Speaker.

The immediate past Speaker of the Niger state House of Assembly, Honorable Ahmed Marafa Guni has declared his intention, so also has a very vibrant member of the 8th Assembly, Honorable Madaki Malik Bosso.

Although, there is a third contender who is being thumbed as the candidate of the state government but the member has not come out to declare his intention.

In two different interviews, the Immediate past Speaker affirmed that he was in the race to lead the house for the second time and was confident of winning.

Marafa said that the recent amendment to the house standing rules which only allows ranking members to contest leadership position in the assembly was not meant to deny newcomers opportunity to contest positions in the house.

“Tell me where this is not obtainable. All over the world, parliaments respect this tradition where members who served more than once are privileged to become leaders over those who are new. It’s a natural phenomenon.”

He said that he believes his work in keeping the Assembly as one in the past four years would go a long way to up his chances for the battle of Speakership.

Meanwhile, Honorable Madaki Malik Bosso said he was amply qualified to become the next speaker expressing confidence that the old and new members would vote for him.

He said as a returning member from zone B and from the majority party, he has all the qualifications to vie for the position adding that he is seeking the support of all members in his quest to become the next speaker.

Malik Madaki said when he becomes speaker, he will carry every member along, engender harmonious working relationship with the executive while also striving to maintain the independence of the legislature.

He said his record as one of the most vibrant members in the last house will add to his impetus to bring a new leadership culture that will bring more dividends of democracy to the people.

The Niger state House of Assembly would convey on Tuesday for the inauguration of the 9th Assembly where a new speaker would be elected.