Newly elected members of House of Representatives have birthed a group, ‘New Dawn’ to take front row in charting the course for a new leadership.
The 120-member group, which cuts across political divide, said they would work with members to create a new Nigeria through robust legislation.
New Dawn is a group of intellectuals from APC, PDP, APGA, LP, SDP, NNPP, ADC, YPP and others.
Convener, member–elect for Esan West, Esan Central, Igueben, and Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Marcus Onobun, said the group would foster unity.
Onobun said: “New Dawn consists of members- elect who have done well in various fields regardless of political affiliation or religious background…
“The caucus wants to be part of choosing the leadership and we are trying to look at the North but profiling all aspirants for Speaker and other positions and taking a decision as a block to vote the Speaker.’’
Member-elect for Oron/Mbo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, Martins Esin, noted the group is passionate to effect a change in the House.
“It is a group passionate about development of the country and they have come together to say they want to see bills, and the 10th Assembly will represent the yearnings of Nigerians and our membership is across party lines. It is not a group that is subjected to ethnic or religious bias”.
Member–elect for Akwanga/Wamba Nasarawa Eggon Federal Constituency of Nasarawa State, Jeremiah Umaru, said the new group is poised to support leadership that will do the bidding of the people.
Ojema Ojotu, member elect, Apa/Agatu in Benue State, said the group would remove money politics.
“New Dawn wants to remove the idea of money politics and we have told ourselves we are not going to collect money from aspirants but look at somebody with humility, integrity, capacity and blue print”.
Others include Joshua Obika (AMAC/Bwari); Ukodhiko Ajirioghene (Isoko South in Delta State); Yusuf Naraje (Bosso/Paiko in Niger State); and Jafaru Gambo (Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa).