A Pan-Yoruba political group, the Yoruba Youth Movement (YYM) on Thursday endorsed Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba as the next Speaker of the incoming House of Representatives.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Kola Kayode in Ibadan, Oyo State, the YYM said its decision was in consideration of loyalty and experience in which it rated Nwajiuba as first among equals and above Femi Gbajabiamila.

The group further argued that its decision to endorse Nwajiuba was basically to balance the equation among the six geo-political zones of the country and not based on religion or tribe.

According to the YYM, the South-East had doubled its votes in national elections between 2015 and now, hence the distribution of the positions of principal officers of the next Assembly should reflect national unity, balance and cohesion.

“Since the presidency is in the North-West, VP in the South-West, North-East angling for Senate presidency, South-South gunning for Deputy Senate presidency, North Central, Deputy Speaker, the speakership should simply go to the South-East.

“And talking about the South-East, Nwajiuba’s loyalty to President Buhari since 2003 is a clear demonstration of the needed qualities,” the statement read.

The group noted that Hon. Nwajiuba, who was the House Committee Chairman on Land, Works and Housing was initially a Senior Adviser to one-time Speaker, Aminu Bello Masari.

“This experience, when combined with his three law degrees makes him eminently qualified for the role of Speakership.

“Beyond his consistent loyalty to the president, he was a key actor in the APC constitution drafting committee and much later a ranking member of the House of Reps between 1999 and 2003”, the statement added.