By; MIKE ODEH JAMES, Kaduna
Ahead of the of the resumption of the Senate, an advocacy group, the Nigeria Civil Advocacy Society has urged National Assembly members especially the Senators, to zone the office of the Senate President to the South South.
In a statement made available by to media men yesterday, the group noted that despite the declaration by certain senators of their interest in becoming the Senate President, it insists that Godswill Akpabio remains the best material for this top position under the present circumstances.
It added that Akpabio’s Senate leadership under Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidency would be the best thing to happen to Nigeria in terms of inclusive democracy and good governance.
It further stressed that Nigeria as a country and Nigerians as a people are going through so much difficult times and need patriots of discerning characters, unequal competency, undoubted capacities to bring that optimal depth of leadership efficiency, balance and service delivery in our quest for maximum output and impact.
The group further explained that the Senate being a microcosm of the Nigerian-state and the politics of the National Assembly must equally reflect and satisfy the yearnings of Nigerians for equity, justice and fairness to the zones that have not produced its leadership since the return of democracy.
The group also admitted that ranking senate members from other geopolitical zones are qualified to run for the Senate’s Presidency, but noted that in the spirit of federal character, the seat of the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria be zoned to the South-South under the Tinubu-Shettima Presidency.
The advocacy group further lampooned the activity of a Senator from the South East who had embarked on the campaign to become the Senate President.
“We have seen that a certain Senator from the South-East has declared interest to run for the office and has commenced lobby for the prime position, but we need to remind him that the Senate Presidency is not the exclusive rights of a particular zone in the country. See the statistics of the occupancy of this position in the last 24 years.
The full press release reads
*IT IS THE TURN OF THE SOUTH-SOUTH TO PRODUCE THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND HIS EXCELLENCY, DISTINGUISHED SENATOR GODSWILL OBOT AKPABIO IS THE BEST MAN FOR THE JOB.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the press, this Press Briefing is the joint declaration of the over 20 civil societies and political interest groups across the six geopolitical zones of the Nigeria, calling on distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, to contest for the position of the President of the 10th National Assembly, not only because he is eminently qualified, but also because of what he would bring to the table.
This endorsement is coming on the heels of the several declarations made by some senators who also are qualified for the position, but who can not fit into the equation at this time. We insist that Akpabio remains the best material for this top position under the present circumstances. Of a truth, Akpabio’s Senate leadership under Tinubu’s Presidency would be the best thing to happen to Nigeria in terms of inclusive democracy and good governance.
There is no doubt, that Nigeria as a country and Nigerians as a people are going through so much difficult times and we need patriots of discerning characters, unequal compentences, undoubted capacities to bring that optimal depth of leadership efficiency, balance and service delivery in our quest for maximum output and impact.
The National Assembly is a microcosm of the Nigerian-state and the politics of the National Assembly must be played to equally reflect and satisfy the yearnings of Nigerians for equity, justice and fairness to the zones that have not produced its leadership since the return of democracy.
While we acknowledge that ranking members from other geopolitical zones are qualified to run, we, with all sense of humility request that, in the spirit of federal character, the seat of the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria be zoned to the South-South under the Tinubu-Shettima Presidency.
We have seen that a certain Senator from the South-East has declared interest to run for the Office and has commenced lobby for the prime position, but we need to remind him that the Senate Presidency is not the exclusive rights of a particular zone in the country. See the statistics of the occupancy of this position in the last 24 years.
*24 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY: HOWTHE OFFICE HAS BEEN HELD PER GEOPOLITICAL ZONE:
1999: South East, PDP
1999—2000: South East, PDP
2000—2003: South East, PDP
2003—2005: South East, PDP
2005—2007: South East, PDP
2007—2015: North Central, PDP
2015—2019: North Central, APC
2019—2023: North East, APC
2023—2027: Who should occupy it?
From the above chart, the South-West, North-West and South-South are the only Zones that have not produced the President of the Senate in the past. With the incoming President-Elect from South-West and his able lieutenant from the North-East, the zone left and well-positioned to get it, is the South-South and that is why we are calling on other zones to support the bid of the South-South to produce the next President of the Senate of the 10th National Assembly and endorse His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, for this epic position.
Akpabio is a lawyer by profession, a grassroots politician; a first-class strategist; a two-term Governor; and a ranking member of the Senate with an uncommon developmental records in public service, which earned him merit eulogies such the “Uncommon Governor”, the “Uncommon Senator”, and the “Uncommon Minister.” We have no doubt in our minds, that he would be the most documented and successful President of the Senate that Nigeria would produce, given his uncommon midas touch and track record of past performances.
Senator Akpabio is a trusted bridge-builder and a man that can not be intimidated. Nigeria needs a man that can uphold the unity our country, stabilize and buoy our democracy, and strengthen the independence of the 3rd Arm of Government with a strong consideration for national patriotism. He is rich in diplomacy; and a team player who have a robust working relationship with over 100 members of the APC and PDP Senators. Thus, his leadership could easily promote healthy debates that would yield higher dividends of democracy and drastically reduce the plight and frustration of the common masses.
The Nigeria Civil Society Advocacy Group believes that Senator Akpabio, a former Minority Leader in the Senate who stepped down for the current President-Elect during the APC Presidential Primaries will not find it difficult to work with the executive in offering quality services for the betterment and improvement of our joint commonwealth.
We, therefore, most respectfully, enjoin the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other major stakeholders to appreciate the efforts and sacrifices of the South-South in ensuring that the Tinubu-Shettima ticket emerged victorious at the 2023 Presidential election. This is the only way to spur others to work hard for the enhancement of party progress and survival. Let’s not reward hardwork with non-challance nor hardwork with discouragement. It is on record that the South-South Zone gave the President-Elect his second highest votes for victory, outside the Zone where the President-Elect hails from. Wisdom demands that senators from the South-South region should unite and give Akpabio the needed support to enhance his emergence as the next President of the Senate.
There is no doubt that Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio would make a good President of the Senate because he is a man of high-profile capacity, competence, character, credibility and creativity.
Give the South-South Zone in the forthcoming political dispensation to contribute its quota in enthroning a better Nigeria and jump-starting it progress in all sectors of the economy and in all ramifications of service.
Sign
Mr Kenneth Ettah Obi
Chairman
Dr Lawrence Cole Okwara
Vice Chairman
Pastor Shedrach Eteng Oka
Director of Media and Spokesperson
For: Nigeria Civil Society Advocacy Group )NiCAG)
