Members of the minority caucus at the event.
The coalition of seven opposition parties that will comprise a part of the 10th House of Representatives, known as Greater Majority, says it has not endorsed anyone for the position of Speaker and Deputy.
The parties are: the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Young Progressives Party (YPP).
Speaking at the fourth session of the forum in Abuja, the Convener, Fred Agbedi, told the members that make up the minority caucus that there was need to interact with stakeholders in their various states, as well as the parties’ stakeholders, to arrive at a decision on the Presiding Officers.
To this end, Mr Agbedi inaugurated state coordinators from among the members who are to meet at their various state levels for this objective.
He said there would also be zonal coordinators, who will also meet at the zonal levels with the various states in collating what decisions they finally come up with.
Mr Agbedi added that the only mandate and directive they gave to their people was to “network, interact and ensure” that they collate the goings-on and provide them with feedback.
He said that at the appropriate tim,e decisions would be reached, directives would be given, alliances would be formed, and, as minorities, they would be told or “there will be some kind of agreement as to which direction to go”.
Agbedi said the caucus had met with the PDP acting national chairman, Umar Damagum; the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; the presidential candidate of the NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, among other stakeholders towards a retreat to be held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in June.
Reporting by Ibrahim Shehu, editing by Daniel Adejo