Chairman of South East Governors Forum, Engr. David Umahi, on Tuesday endorsed Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives come June 2019.

Umahi made the endorsement while addressing over 103 members of the House of Representatives who stormed Ebonyi to seek for his support and anointing.

The governor, however, demanded that South East, especially members who hail from Ebonyi, must be included in the appointment of key floor functionaries and chairmen of committees, if elected.

He said that the house leadership if elected should not dwell so much on party affairs but should think of how to build and develop the nation.

“I want to thank my president and of course the House of Representatives and all the national Assembly. Just few days back, part of our loan was approved finally by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

“He also has started the construction of the second Niger Bridge. We the people of the south east are very grateful and we are thankful to Mr. President.

“When my members in the House spoke to me about your coming, I told them that Gbajabiamila are very intelligent and he has no problem and we should work with him.

“We can do nothing but to allying with you and so, it is important that by God’s will and Grace, if you get there, think of our national unity and development.

“I am the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and people have been asking us, in the issue of the national assembly leadership, what do we stand to get?

“But I believe in something, if you can’t beat them you join them. Because we don’t have the majority of the House of Representatives and even if we decide to pull out, there is little we can do. But it is important that we are remembered and carried along. I assure you that I am with you and I will support you,” he added.

Responding, Gbajabiamila said the theme of his campaign is “Nation building, a joint task”. He noted that Ebonyi is the first state he is visiting to seek for support.