Non-serving Senators Back Zoning of Senate President, Deputy to S’south, N’west

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The non-serving senators, who were in the second to fourth National Assembly, met in Abuja on Monday and expressed support for the planned zoning of the Senate President position to the South-south and Deputy Senate President position to the North-west.

The Convever of the group, Senator Basheer Lado, who read the communique at the end of the meeting, said their resolution was based on the need for fairness, equity and justice.

The ex-lawmakers noted that the National Assembly requires experienced and level-headed leaders at the helm of its affairs to calm down the current tension in the country.

Part of the communique read: “We believe that, in the spirit of equity, fairness, political expedience and following extensive consultations with stakeholders, hereby express our total support for the zoning of the position of the President of the 10th Senate, to the South-south geo-political zone of Nigeria.

“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.

“It is our conviction that a diverse and united legislative leadership is critical to good governance. 

“At a trying period in our nation’s political history, the National Assembly requires experienced and level headed leaders at the helm of its affairs.”

The ex-senators therefore appealed to other aspirants to support Akpabio and Barau.

They said: “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.

“This will go a long way in ensuring a peaceful and smooth take-off of the incoming administration.”

Non-serving Senators Back Zoning of Senate President, Deputy to S’south, N’west

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The non-serving senators, who were in the second to fourth National Assembly, met in Abuja on Monday and expressed support for the planned zoning of the Senate President position to the South-south and Deputy Senate President position to the North-west.

The Convever of the group, Senator Basheer Lado, who read the communique at the end of the meeting, said their resolution was based on the need for fairness, equity and justice.

The ex-lawmakers noted that the National Assembly requires experienced and level-headed leaders at the helm of its affairs to calm down the current tension in the country.

Part of the communique read: “We believe that, in the spirit of equity, fairness, political expedience and following extensive consultations with stakeholders, hereby express our total support for the zoning of the position of the President of the 10th Senate, to the South-south geo-political zone of Nigeria.

“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.

“It is our conviction that a diverse and united legislative leadership is critical to good governance. 

“At a trying period in our nation’s political history, the National Assembly requires experienced and level headed leaders at the helm of its affairs.”

The ex-senators therefore appealed to other aspirants to support Akpabio and Barau.

They said: “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.

“This will go a long way in ensuring a peaceful and smooth take-off of the incoming administration.”