Newly elected members of the House of Representatives have formed a new pressure group called ‘New Dawn’ with the aim of ushering in new leadership for the 10th Assembly.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the group, which includes 120 members from across political divides, held its inaugural meeting at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, as stated in a press release signed by Joshua Chinedu Obika, member-elect for AMAC/Bwari federal constituency on Monday.
The convener of the group, Marcus Onobun, who is also the member-elect for Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben, expressed the group’s desire to foster unity in Nigeria through purposeful legislative engagement for the House.
As the Speaker of the Edo State Assembly, Onobun added that the group is determined and unanimous in working with every member of the Green Chamber to create a new Nigeria through robust legislation that will have a positive impact on citizens’ lives.
“The New Dawn caucus of the 10th assembly is a group of intellectuals from different political parties, APC, PDP, NNPP, APGA, LP, SDP, ADC, YPP and others. It consists of new members- elect who are just coming into the national assembly and have done well in their various fields of endeavors regardless of political affiliations or religious background to be able to chart a new course for Nigeria.
“In terms of legislation, the caucus will be concerned with making bills, policy drive, and welfare for members and look out at areas where Nigerians have yearned for legislation and champion those courses.
‘Above all we will work towards choosing a leader in the house of representative regardless of party affiliation.
“It means that we want to be part and parcel of choosing the leadership of the house and we are trying to look at the North by profiling all the aspirants for speakership and other positions and taking a decision as a block to give votes to who will become the speaker,” the statement reads.
Similarly, Martins Esin, the member-elect for Oron/Mbo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko federal constituency of Akwa Ibom State, emphasized that the group comprises new members who are passionate about the country’s development. Jeremiah Umaru, the Member-elect for Akwanga/Wamba Nasarawa Eggon Federal constituency of Nasarawa State, stated that the new group is determined to support leadership that will work for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
Also, pastor Ojema Ojotu, member-elect for Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency Benue, (PDP), opined that the last election clearly showed that Nigerians are tired of the status quo. The New Dawn group aims to effect positive change in Nigeria through purposeful legislative engagement, and their formation is a step towards creating a new Nigeria.
“We are conscious of the fact that our people seem to be tired of the status quo and there is a strong desire for a shift. If you look at the pattern of voting and the way and manner we came in, you will discover that there is no better way to explain that desire than that,” he said.
