I remain a strong contender for house of reps speaker -Onyejeocha

Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, a federal lawmaker from Abia state, says she remains a strong contender for speaker of the house of representatives.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Onyejeocha denied ever stepping down in the race for speakership.

The lawmaker, who is of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is the only female member in the race for speakership.

Although the party has endorsed Femi Gbajabiamila, incumbent majority leader, for the position, Onyejeocha asked President Muhammadu Buhari to create room for her emergence having “promised to make sure that the women are included in governance.”

She said: “I am very much in the race, I will engage the members I have not engaged and every stakeholder; at this level people should be conscious of what insinuation the give in the office.

“It is not over until it is over, there is still a possibility that the party will look at the the issues and agitations that will move Nigeria to he next level and change its position on the zoning. It is all about the next level

“It is all about peace and inclusiveness, and President Muhammadu Buhari promised that in his second term, he will make sure that women are included in governance. I believe that the party will by God’s grace see that what is good is good and what is bad is bad and change its position.”

She said there is no need for her to be worried over the number of people in the race or the perceived endorsement of other candidates.

“I am a politician and I know that endorsement does not translate to votes at the ballot,” the lawmaker said.

“Besides there is time, those that have endowed one person or their other can still change their minds, life is about change and people can change their minds on the day of the election.”