10th NASS: Ripples in APC as NWC zones seats to Akpabio, Barau, Abass, Kalu
Orji Kalu kicks, lobbies 108 senators-elect
By Tunde Opalana, Tom Okpe
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday announced zoning of positions of leadership of the 10th National Assembly.
In what look a micro- zoning, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party announced Senator Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) from the South South as Senate President with Senator Barau Jubrin from Kano, North West as Deputy Senate President.
Hon. Abass Tajudeen from Kaduna, North West was named Speaker. House of Representatives and -Hon. Benjamin Kalu from Abia, South East as
Deputy Speaker.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of APC , the NWC said “the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) met today, Monday, May 8, 2023 to consider reports of consultations and meetings held with the President- Elect, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, other Party leaders and stakeholders on zoning arrangement for 10th National Assembly leadership positions.
“The NWC noted with respect the outcome of the meetings held between the President-Elect and the leadership of the NWC. The NWC called for further and better consultation with necessary stakeholders in order to assure the support of the aspirants to the National Assembly leadership positions and members of the Party nationwide.”
The NWC urged party leaders, members and all Nigerians to continue to work for peace and progress of the country during and beyond the current period of leadership transition.
Unperturbed by purported endorsement of Senator Godswill Akpabio as preferred candidate for Senate President in the coming 10th Senate, a leading contender for the position, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has insisted that he is fully in the race.
Kalu, the current Chief Whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia State said he has written personal letters to the members of National Working Committee of All Progressives Congress(APC) and 108 Senators elect of his interest to be the next Senate President.
This is even as he refuted the news making round that the South East Senators elect endorsed him , explaining that the Senators -elect of the South East only met to make a demand from the President-elect and the party and yet to endorse anyone
In an official statement released by the Media office of the Chief Whip on Monday afternoon , Kalu in the letters he personally signed and addressed to each of the NWC Members and Senators elect, said he is offering himself for the position of the Senate President to the Nigerian people, the senators elect and the party with sincerity of heart, humility, and candour.
Kalu also noted that his seemingly inactive in the contest of the senate presidency was because of the one month mourning of his late wife, Mrs Ifeoma Ada Kalu
Attached to the letters of intent is a copy of Kalu’s Legislative agenda which has six priorities. The listed priorities are Economic Growth and Reform; Constitutional and Electoral Reform; National Security; Improved Social Conditions and Welfare; Efficient and Effective National Assembly and Global Influence
Kalu promised to promote and defend the constitution and foster a congenial and cordial relationship between the executive and judiciary.
The letter to the party leaders reads: “it is with a deep sense of joy and humility that I bring you warm greetings and that of Abia North Senatorial zone.
“My emergence as the Senator to represent Abia North in this critical time in the history of our dear nation comes with huge responsibilities, top of which is to make quality laws for the good governance of our people.
“To be able to achieve these enviable goals, we require good leaders who will pilot the affairs of the 10th Senate.
“Leadership of a sophisticated Senate at the 10th Session will need men and women with abundance of shared vision, consensus building, charisma, credibility, and pragmatism in the saddle.
“This is why I most humbly write to officially inform you of my interest to be elected the next Senate President.
“I make this offer to serve you and the Nigerian people with sincerity of heart, humility, and candour.
“The biggest asset I bring to the table is wisdom and experience garnered over the years in the management of human and material resources.
“I promise to work for you, promote and defend the constitution and the party, and foster a congenial and cordial relationship between the party, the executive and judiciary.
“One thing is indubitably certain: working together in unity and mutual love and respect, we can take Nigeria to real next level of peace, progress, and development”. the letter reads.
Also, some senators – elect rejected imposition of candidates by the party, they insisted on producing their own leaders.
They spoke with journalists at the 10th National Assembly Induction programme held on Monday in Abuja
Senator Osita izunaso while vowing not to shift ground said the most natural thing for the APC to do is to zone the office of the Senate President to the South East.
He said “It is long overdue. If you are ever contemplating zoning to the South, it is a natural thing that it should go to the South-East. The zone has been part of the process. South East voted for the APC. If you tell me that the South East did not vote for the APC, I will tell you that you are not saying the truth.
“Despite the pressure on the South East regarding the Peter Obi’s candidature, we were able to deliver six Senate seats and two governors. Labour Party has six senators while the Peoples Democratic Party has two.
“APC Members In the South East have done exceedingly well. South East Senators-Elect met yesterday and we are categorical that the office of the Senate President should be zoned to the South East in the spirit of justice, equity and balance.
“If we must achieve oneness and unity of Nigeria, the Senate President must be zoned to the South East. That is our stand point and personally, I am not ready to step down for anybody. I’m running for the position of the Senate President.”
Abdulraham Kawu Samaila, the Senator elect on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in Kano South Senatorial District asked the party to follow the constitution.
“There is a clear and express provision in the constitution which allows members of the National Assembly to choice their presiding officers amongst themselves irrespective of party affiliation, religious or ethnic considerations.
“Each of us has the qualification to lead the chambers as presiding officers in the National Assembly.
“It is not a just cause that the Senate Presidency should go to the South because of religion. It is against the constitution and morally it is wrong. It is against the character of democracy.
“We are practicing constitutional democracy and presidential system of government which provides for the National Assembly, Executive and Judiciary. The parliament is an independent arm of government. The executive is detached from the parliament and judiciary.
“Therefore, we are canvassing a situation where we will true separation of power. Let the executive led by Mr President, exercise its power to balance its positions. Let us as the legislature, also exercise our powers. The executive can suggest but it is our to do what the constitution provides. The head of the judiciary for instance, is from Oyo, the same geopolitical zone with the President Elect.
Senator Elect Ned Nwoko representing Delta North Senatorial District on the platform of the PDP: said, “the defining issue for us is to have an independent National Assembly. We must be independent of the executive. As a third arm of government, we must hit the ground running. We should not have leaders that are imposed on us by the executive.
“In this case, the issue of South East must be taken to account. The overwhelming majority of the senators elect are of the opinion that we must be independent. That is the only way we can take the executive to account. The parliament is not meant to be pocketed by the executive. There are some of us that are already well established before we came here. So are not push overs. We are very independent minded.”
Meanwhile 72 ex- lawmakers r that served in the second, third and fourth National Assembly have advised Senators Orji Uzor Kalu, Abdul Aziz Yari and other aspirants for leadership positions in the House of Representatives to drop their ambitions and accept preferred candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Non-Serving Senators of the Second to the Fourth Republics admonished elected lawmakers aspiring for various positions in the coming 10th Assembly to abide by the ruling party’s decision and allow for a smooth inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.
The press conference which was addressed by Senator Basheer Lado was attended by other ex- lawmakers such as Barnabas Gemade, Domingo Obembe, Ayogu Eze, Abubakar Jajere,Magnus Abe and Ita Enang.
The ex- lawmakers expressed total support for the zoning of the position of the President of the 10th Senate, to the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria.
They submitted that they do so in the spirit of equity, fairness, political expedience and following extensive consultations with stakeholders.
Reading the resolution of the body of ex- lawmakers, Basheer said “we also affirm our unfettered support for the position of the President of the 10th Senate who also doubles as the Chairman of the National Assembly to be conferred on His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON.
“The position of Senate President represents the third position in hierarchy of our current democratic dispensation.
“This position carries considerable weight in discharging vital constitutional responsibilities and for charting the right course for our national development.
“It is also important that the holder of such a position enjoys the confidence and support of the party leadership and that of his peers as Senator Godswill Akpabio undoubtedly does.
“With this same spirit of fairness, we also affirm our solid support that the position of Deputy President of the 10th Senate be conceded to Distinguished Senator Barau I. Jubril, CON, representing Kano North Senatorial Zone, Kano State.”
The body believed that a diverse and united legislative leadership is critical to good governance and came to the conclusion that at a trying period in the nation’s political history, the National Assembly requires experienced and level headed leaders at the helm of its affairs.
The body said “as you are all aware, the stakes are high and that a successful transition to a new political dispensation is key in ensuring national unity, cohesion and overall progress as one nation.
“In view of the above, we wish to respectfully appeal to all other aspirants to these key positions to kindly support our position by withdrawing their respective bids.
“We believe that their withdrawal and cooperation will reduce the acrimony that commonly characterises the jostle for power in the National Assembly amongst the geo-political zones.”
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This, they believe will go a long way in ensuring a peaceful and smooth take-off of the incoming administration.
The body commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for providing exceptional leadership over a very challenging period of Nigeria’s national journey and extended best wishes to the President- elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his excellent electoral campaign and well deserved victory.
“We believe that our President Elect H.E. Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an inspirational leader with a clear vision. His Excellency has consistently demonstrated a high sense of responsibility, maturity, doggedness and empathy. These attributes are imperatives for effective leadership and good governance.
“We also acknowledge the articulate, focused and able Vice President-elect, H.E. Senator Kashim Shettima Mustapha whose contributions, political weight and wise support contributed in no small measure to the success we are celebrating today.
“We must also recognise the tireless efforts of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, H.E. Senator Abdullahi Adamu, CON, as well as commitment of members of the NWC who demonstrated wisdom and fair play that successfully guided our party to this critical stage in our political development.
“The high level of integrity exhibited by our Party’s national chairman in the successful general elections cannot be overstated,” the ex- lawmaker said.
