10th NASS Leadership: North-East Youth Coalition canvasses support for Betara
By Chima Azubuike
A group under the aegis of Coalition of North-East Youth Groups for Good Governance has canvassed support for Mukhtar Betara, as speaker, ahead of the 10th National Assembly.
Betara represents Biu/Bayo/Shani and Kwaya Kusar Federal Constituency of Borno State.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday at the All Progressives Congress secretariat, Secretary of the Coalition; Khalid Kumo, said Betara has the deserved competence, experience having being involved in the business of law making in the last 16 years.
He said they arrived at the decision to support Betara as the next speaker after appraising all the re-elected members of the House and found him most qualified.
“Honourable Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, has been representing his constituency for the past 16 years and still counting. This is a clear indication that he understands both the needs of the people, the essence of representation and the lawmaking process of the country.
“Honourable Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, is someone who can unite and unify the house to work together for the progress of the country due to his immense experience in legislative affairs being the chairman of the house committee on the Army, Defence, Appropriations beside membership of numerous standing committees. This reaffirms his experience and knowledge of the job,” he stated.
The group therefore appealed to the elected members of the house of representatives from different parties to consider Betara for speakership when the 10th assembly is inaugurated.
Responding to question on the possibility of Betara’s emergence following the Vice President -elect Shettima, who is also from Borno State, Kumo said there was no place in the constitution stopping two principal officers from coming from same zone especially when competence is that the forefront.
“It’s not against the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In some instances we have allow gentleman agreement to give priority to national development.
“It will be inappropriate to take the position to someone or elsewhere with lesser experience, lesser capacity, lesser knowledge of legislative procedure because Betara is from the North-East and we have Vice-president.
“We are endorsing Betara because he is very competent, most experienced and we believe he is qualified for the leadership of the House of Representatives,” Kumo added.
