TheCable

Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, a member of the house of representatives from Abia state, has joined the race to become the speaker of the house of representatives in the 9th national assembly.

Onyejeocha, who represents Isiukwuato/ Umunneochi federal constituency, declared for the position while addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday.

She is currently the chairman of the house committee on aviation and is in the lower legislative chamber as a fourth-time lawmaker.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker said she is in the race to help advance the party’s interest and developmental policies in the lower legislative chamber, as well as “help get Nigerians to the next level.”

Meanwhile, some organizations under the Coalition of South East Civil Society and Human Rights Organizations have urged lawmakers in the green chamber to support Onyejeocha’s ambition.

In a statement signed by Jasper Uche among other conveners, the group also asked the APC leadership to zone the speaker position to the south-east “for fairness and balance.”

They also argued her emergence will lay to rest the perceived passiveness of female lawmakers in the national assembly.

The statement read: “Nkeiruka is a tested hand in legislative matters judging from her contributions in the last 12 years as a legislator in the green chamber with numerous legislative accomplishments which include the Anti-Turture Act, 2017, Compulsory Treatment and Care for Gun Shot Victims Act 2017, Local Government Autonomy Bill which was merged with the constitution amendment bills, to mention but a few.

“She has to her credit a clean record in public office, and her achievement as current House Committee chairman in Aviation speaks volume.”