By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
The Coalition of Arewa Civil Society Groups has expressed dismay that the zoning arrangement for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly released by the national leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed to address the agitation from the South-East.
Addressing newsmen in Kaduna on Friday, the spokesman of the group, Muhammad Aminu Abbas, observed that zoning the Senate presidency to South East geo-political zone is an answer to power exclusion and marginalisation.
He explained that for political stability and democratic consolidation, APC must take cognisance that the South-East geo-political zone has two APC governors while the South-South has one APC Governor (Cross-River State).
Muhammad Aminu Abbas noted also that from 1999 till date, the South-South geo-political zone has produced a Vice-president and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the person of President Goodluck Jonathan, and none from South-East.
He argued that during the APC-led administration in the country, South-South has produced two APC National Chairmen in the persons of Chief John Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole, and none from South-East.
The spokesman stated, “It is therefore our firm belief that the prevailing agitation for secession by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and end general insecurity in the South-East will naturally simmer down when the next senate president comes from the zone. This is not only necessary but also politically expedient with its attendant security issues.”
He added, “In order not to sacrifice party loyalty, commitment and dexterity to build the party, we unanimously endorse Senator Osita Izunaso for the office of the Senate President for the 10th Senate.”
According to him, Senator Barrister Bonaventure Osita Izunaso, the Senator representing Orlu Senatorial District in Imo State is, by all standard a seasoned legislator with more than 10 years of legislative experience both in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.
He said that he (Senator Barrister Bonaventure Osita Izunaso) has held various positions in the Senate including Senate Committee Chairman on Gas Resources and has served as a member of different Committees in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives.
He observed that his combined experience in the private and public sector, having served as an administrator, Board Chairman and Member of different Boards and Governing Councils across the country makes him the most eligible candidate for the job of a Senate president.
The spokesman believed that Senator Bonaventure Izunaso has the request knowledge and academic capacity to superintend over the Red Chamber, stressing that it is clear that the Senator has taken time to prepare himself for this job and there is no excuse whatsoever to sidestep him.
“It will be a great oversight and injustice to overlook this qualified and competent Senator in favour of another Senator. The South-East must be carried along and compensated for the support they have given the APC in the past and present dispensation,” he explained.
