10th NASS leadership: Zoning suffers as tough political gimmicks plunge parties in confusion

…Political blocs flood President-elect with fairness call, protest imposition

…Support, opposition against Akpabio build up

By Moses Adeniyi

While the clamour for zoning has contributed a strong pillar in the discourse for the determination of the 10th National Assembly (NASS), it is apparent that the complexities of the political game surrounding the race have become a struggle posing many sides potent to crumble the pillar of zoning.

The tough sides rousing from political blocs have begun to leave parties, particularly the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in confusion, as it appears even delineation of Lawmakers-elect into blocs of interest have begun to assume a more formidable force to downplay party supremacy.

The threats before the parties have become more dicey, particularly for the ruling APC whose power may not be absolute in the choice of the leadership, as for instance for the Senate, the party has almost equal strength with the opposition put together, on balance of having 59 member elects to 50 of the combined opposition.

Since the standing rule provides that the winner of the Senate Presidency Seat must have at least 60 votes on the floor of the upper chamber, it is clear the ruling party cannot have a free grip on the seat without anyone running on its  platform for the position buying support from some opposition members.

It is obvious that since the return of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to the Country from his trip to Paris, the politicking for the composition of the 10th National Assembly had become heated with series of meetings and lobbying.

Although report had emerged earlier that the President-elect had rejected a micro box closed ended zoning to the South-south, suing for an open cheque to the South in a broader coverage, the decision before the President-elect and the party leadership organ, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, may have become more complex given regards to the blocs of interests  which have emerged with controversial stands.

Update on the recent development had reports that the President-elect had expressed a choice of a decison which majority of the lawmakers elect on his party’s platform have expressed their contentions against, demanding for non interference on the path the lawmakers may wish to tread to elect the principal officers of the 10th Assembly.

It was gathered about 37 senators-elect of the ruling party  frowned against  the choice of Senators Godswill Akpabio, Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district and Jubrin Barau, Kano North, for Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively, communicated to the senators-elect by the President-elect, at a meeting of the leadership of the APC on Friday night in Abuja.

It was also learnt that the President-elect’s  choice of Hon. Tajudeen Abbas who represents Zaria federal constituency of Kaduna State for speakership of the House of Representatives also generated resistance.

It was reported that,  alternatively, the Senators-elect reportedly pointed to the direction of the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, and a former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari for Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively.

Kalu represents Abia North Senatorial District, Yari was recently voted to represent Zamfara West.

The issue of the Senate Presidency has been keenly contested with Senators-elect racing for the post on the platform of the ruling pParty posing difficult sides.

Although there has not been any official communication by the ruling APC on the zoning of the principal seats of the National Assembly, reports have said the party is considering zoning the Senate President seat to the South-East and North West for the Speakership of the House of Representatives.

However, more returning lawmakers under the platform of the party have continued to nurse their ambitions regardless of what the Party may come up with as its preferred zoning choice, a development that has begun to reflect on the composition of lobbying blocs sprouting from different interest and political calculations.

Among those contesting for Senate Presiding Offices are: Senators Sani Musa, Niger State, North Central; Godswill Akpabio, Akwa Ibom State, South South; Orji Uzor Kalu, Abia State, South East; Jibrin Barau, Kano State, North West; Osita Izunaso, Imo State, South East; Ali Ndume, Borno State, North East and Abdullazizi Yari, Zamfara, North West.

For the House of Representatives are: Hons. Tajudeen Abass (Kaduna), Muktra Betara (Borno), Ahmed Idris Wase (Plateau), Ben Kalu (Abia), Miriam Onuoha (Imo), etc.

Although the APC may be leaning more towards the South, those contesting from the Northern zone have continued to pose their arguments, particularly stakeholders from the Northwest who have argued on the ground that the zone gave the highest chunk of votes to the President-elect, Tinubu and therefore should be compensated.

They have also posed arguments that the Party should consider the zone, laying claims to what has been described as desperate attempt by opposition parties to take over Kano and the entire North West Zone from the APC.

Meanwhile, arguments and lobbying for candidates of choice for the Senate Presidency seat have continued to generate contending interests amongst political blocs.

Late April, while there were reports that Tinubu outrightly rejected proposals made by some members of the APC leadership and three South West senators for the Senate Presidency to be zoned to the South-South, it has become more controversial as confidential reports from a meeting held weekend reported the President-elect made a choice of Senator-elect from the South-south zone, Godswill Akpabio on certain conditions which was gathered wasn’t too well an embracing option to majority of the Senators-elect who attended the meeting with the Presieent.

As zoning argument continues, with a formal decision still hanging for the formula to employ for the formation of the 10th Assembly leadership,  different blocs of interests have continued to throw off their support line, even beyond party affiliation.

For instance, a bloc, the South East Senate caucus has called on the Senator Abdullahi Adamu led NWC of the APC and the President- elect, to allow the South East geo-political zone get the slot of the Senate President.

According to the Caucus, the party should uphold the Principle of Natural Justice and Equity that it preaches, founded on reasons to ensure that the South East zone is given the position of Senate President.

The Senators who noted that with the side-lining of the Southeast from producing the Presidential candidates of the major political parties before the general elections, said that the only way the zone could be compensated and given a sense of belonging is for the zone to produce the next Senate President, adding that this would restore confidence of the people from the South-East and South-South geo-political zones and indeed all Nigerians in the unity of the country.

In a Communique at the end of its meeting in Abuja, the Senate Caucus urged the President-elect to extend the same democratic opportunity he received from the outgoing administration that gave all aspirants equal opportunity to exercise their fundamental and constitutional rights during the APC Presidential Primaries.

The Communique was signed by Senators- elect from the South East for the 10th Senate, including Senator Orji Uzor Kalu; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Senator Ifeanyi Ubah; Senator Victor Umeh; Senator Osita Izunaso; Senator Ezenwa Oyewuchi; Senator Tony Nwoye and Senator PC Ndubueze.

Others are Senator Okey Ezea; Senator Kelvin Chukwu and Senator Osita Ngwu.

The Communique read, “We have observed with dismay the antics of persons with vested selfish as who have planted themselves around the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and have vowed to shut out the South East from the Senate Presidency of the 10th Senate.

“Beyond ethnic and religious considerations, in the forthcoming 10th Senate, the Southeast has been blessed with ranking Senators-elect including members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who have the cranial capacity, competence, influence, experience and Political followership to pilot the affairs of the Red Chamber, it becomes imperative that the All Progressives Congress upholds the Principle of natural Justice and equity which it preaches founded on reason and zone the seat of Senate President to the South East region.

“That the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu should extend the same democratic opportunity he received from the outgoing administration which gave all aspirants equal opportunity to exercise their fundamental and constitutional rights during the APC Presidential Primaries. He should be conscious of the grave implications of zoning and endorsing a candidate from the South-South without any regard for the Southeast, such move will no doubt serve as a recipe for injustice which will culminate to restiveness.

“We implore the President-elect to be sensitive to the times in Nigeria and ensure the country continues to thrive on the party of equity, unity and fairness to the tripod of Nigeria (Hausa Igbo Yoruba) and the geopolitical zones

“The country is already divided amongst ethnic and religious lines due to the exclusion of the Southeast region, which formed the major reason the APC received the amount of votes from the Southeast. The incoming Administration of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu must correct this anomaly by ensuring that the Southeast is given the opportunity to produce the next Senate President.

“With the side-lining of the Southeast from producing the Presidential candidates of the major political parties before the general elections, the only means through which the zone can be compensated and given a sense of belonging is for the zone to produce the next Senate President as this will restore confidence of the people from the South-east and South-south geo-political zones and indeed all Nigerians in the unity of the country

“The APC must rise above primordial and political interest and shun the winner takes all syndrome and pursue ethno-religious inclusivity and a strong, virile, united, progressive, prosperous, equitable and just democratic nation

“Mr President-elect, how would an average Igbo man feel after he sees evidence of total discrimination. The South East has been denied the chance of producing the president of Nigeria since 1966. The South South has produced President for six years and also had Deputy Senate President in the outgoing administration. The only zone in the South that has not been favoured is the South East. The outcry of marginalisation by the South East and the entire Igbo should be addressed by your incoming administration rather than aggravating it. The South West has President, the North East has Vice President, it is only just that the least position at the moment that can assuage the South East is given the chance to be the President of the 10th Senate.

“On this note we have collectively resolved to support South East aspirants of the APC. We remain committed and have since expanded negotiations with other well-meaning Senators-elect to rally round the South East to ensure that justice, fairness and unity of the country prevails.

“We remain hopeful that together we shall achieve a harmonious 10th Senate, deepen democracy, fairness and the unity of our dear country.”

…As opposition sniffs for ruling party aspirants with juicy offers

As more interest builds up beyond the row over zoning principles, issues of interest have posed difficult sides along party lines.

For instance, the 35-member Labour Party caucus for the incoming 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives has said they would vote as a bloc for any speakership of choice during the inauguration of the new Assembly on June 13.

Hon. Afam Victor Ogene who was elected the leader of the caucus said, “May I use this opportunity to reiterate that the Labour Party caucus, House of Representatives, has not endorsed any speakership aspirant.

“In fact, anyone desirous of our votes on the day of inauguration must first convince us, as a bloc, of what his plans and programmes for the Nigerian people are. While we may have individual preferences, I can assure that at the end of the day, the Labour Party shall stand as one, indivisible entity to take a common and progressive stand.”

The controversy of the zoning parameter to settle for, particularly within the camp of the ruling APC had informed Minority caucus of the incoming 10th House of Representatives made of the opposition political parties to make assertion that the ruling party is now in confusion over the choice of candidates for the Speakership.

The caucus dismissed claims that its members were beginning to drift apart, rather arguing that the house of the ruling party is not order.

On the heels of the official unveiling of the speakership quest of Hon. Yusuf Gagbi in Abuja, the group argued that “attendance at such events does not translate to endorsement,” just as Hon. Afam Victor one of the spokespersons of the Minority caucus also known as “Greater Majority,”  said in a statement that given the fact that over 10 persons were still jostling for the speakership barely five weeks to the inauguration of the new Assembly was an indication that APC’s house was not in order.

“What you see going on is not anything unusual. In an electioneering season, such as we have currently, members-elect are free to honour invite by friends and colleagues.

“The mere fact that five weeks to inauguration of the National Assembly, the APC still has over 10 Speakership aspirants speaks volumes about the confusion therein. Regardless, as a popular African idiom proclaims, ‘if you close your eyes because you don’t want to see bad people, you may also not be aware when good people pass by.

“By inference, therefore, the Greater Majority would continue to interface and interrogate  all members of the 10th House of Representatives even as we keep our own plans close to our chest,” Ogene said.

…More aspirants join leadership race as parties remain in limbo

Meanwhile, the race for the Speakership of the lower chamber has become more heated, as more runners are joining up as the ruling party remains unresolved about the zoning parameter.

The leader of the outgoing House, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa and the Chairman, Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi on Wednesday and Saturday last week respectively, joined the race.

Support for the Chairman, Committee on Appropriations, Hon. Aliyu Betara, a leading aspirant has also begun to ring for his aspiration.

For instance, a group of newly elected members of the House of Representatives under the aegis  of New Vision, during the weekend pledged their support for Betara, lawmaker representing Biu/Bayo/Shani Federal Constituency of Borno State, for speakership of the 10th House of Representatives.

The group in a statement by Peter Akpanke member-elect from Obudu/Obaniku/Bekwara Federal Constituency Cross River, made available to journalists said they had finalised the decision at a meeting of the new members-elect from the South-South in Abuja.

The group is drawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and other political parties.

According to Akpanke members of the group had been moving across the country to garner support for Betara, who is also the present Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation.

Also for the Senate Presidency, Senator-elect for Imo North Senatorial District, Engr. Patrick C. Ndubueze, has joined the race for the Senate Presidency of the 10th National Assembly.

The Imo born politician who was first elected member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Okigwe Federal Constituency in Imo State in 1992, in the letter to the party on Sunday in Abuja, said, “the Nigerian Senate has grown into an icon of national democratic trajectory and had, overtime, shown a capacity to rise and fulfil the huge expectations of Nigerians across the nation.

“Now, in respect of current realities in this time which requires sensitive leadership in the Senate in the mould of: a focused leadership, a leadership that is people-centric and a calm and supportive leadership.

“Having been persuaded by my track record as a ranking legislator, a politician of more than 35 years standing and a personal character that has stood the test of time for integrity and commitment to the people, I, Engr. Patrick Ndubueze, being a ranking member of the National Assembly, do desire to offer myself to contest the office of the Senate President of the 10th National Assembly strongly believing in my capacity to stand in the roles of the leadership required at this time.

“Sir, I trust that you will bless my aspiration as declared with your active support through appropriate counseling, advice and networking, to ensure that this noble cause sees the light of day!

“While, I await your kind acceptance of my declaration of intent, sir, please, accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.”

While canvassing for the support of his colleagues in a letter addressed to individual Senators-elect, Engr. Ndubueze said in the last 32 years, he has remained committed to the good cause of the Nigerian project, adding that he has been on consultation frenzy with critical stakeholders across the length and breadth of the country to positive acclaim.

He said, “Distinguished Senator, over the last 32 years, I have remained committed to the good cause of the Nigerian project and had always been persuaded that our sovereign advancement inclusive of the desired progressions of millions of Nigerians is better enabled through the instrumentality of appropriately engineered legislations which are superintended by a knowledgeable and motivated political head of the National Assembly who is equipped for thoroughness, moderation and a vision-driven compassion.

“It is for these reasons, and their fulfilment, distinguished Senator, that I have decided to declare my intention to contest the office of the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I do not treat this declaration lightly, Distinguished Senator. I, indeed, have been on a consultation frenzy with critical stakeholders across the length and breadth of our country to positive acclaim.

“This letter to your good self is in continuation of the consultations I had embarked upon, by which, I am of the hope that you will avail me a time to physically meet with you, even as I now canvass for your support and advice as we head to the day of the election of the principal officers of the National Assembly.

“While thanking you profusely for the opportunity of this engagement, distinguished Senator, please accept my highest regards for your good self.”

…Political blocs flood President-elect with fairness call

In the row of call of adherence to zoning principles, a group under the aegis of the APC Integrity Group has asked the Senator Abdullahi Adamu led NWC to ensure that no one geo-political zone of the Country produces two Presiding officers.

The group argued that the President-elect, Tinubu for equity and Justice must ensure that the positions are distributed among the zones rather than one zone getting two positions for both the upper and lower Chambers in the incoming 10th National Assembly.

In a statement by the Coordinator and Secretary, Dawu Mohammed and Chisom Nwakanma respectively, the group noted that sensitive positions should be distributed evenly in order not to avert crisis.

According to the group, there were already alignments and counter alignments that would be injurious to the unity and existence of the party should they be allowed to exist.

The statement had read, “We have observed the horse trading going on about the presiding offices of the 10th Assembly and we consider it pertinent to advise that two presiding offices should not go to one geo-political zone. Doing so, we believe would be injurious to the unity and existence of the party.

“We, also consider it a concern that the NWC of our party had till date not been able to come up with the zoning formula. This situation had led to different interests and agitations that we are witnessing among our elected lawmakers.

“The APC Integrity Group expects that those take lawmakers to the President-elect for endorsement should do that in the interest of the country and not because of juicy committees and other considerations.

“The President-elect and the party leadership should know that whatever crises that comes from the zoning and election of the presiding officers, they are responsible for them.

“It is our sincere view that the Deputy Senate President should be zoned to the North Central since the party is considering zoning the Speaker House of Representatives to the North West.

“For us, what is paramount is a viable 10th National Assembly, which we believe could be achieved with proper zoning and competent leadership.”

Another group under the aegis of Renewed Hope Professionals called on the President-Elect to maintain neutrality in the hotly contested leadership race for the 10th National Assembly.

In a statement on Sunday issued and signed by the group’s Coodinator, Kinu Kabirwa, the group said, “The parliament operates under the dictum of first among equals and any attempt to foist any form of leadership on members may be counterproductive.”

Picking from allegations of moves  to anoint aspirants for key positions in the 10th NASS, the group declared that the very cornerstone of a healthy democracy is the freedom of choice, and the imposition of candidates by those in positions of authority has led to a legitimacy crisis in the country since the return to democracy in 1999.

The group asserted that as an advocate for competitive democracy, the President-elect must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to a level playing field for all contestants.

“The APC, under the leadership of His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), set a powerful example in the primaries that produced the President-Elect as the Flag bearer of the APC. The world saw the beauty of progressive politics when Mr. President insisted on a level playing field for all contestants, and we must not backtrack on this laudable legacy.

“The President-elect must be seen as a committed democrat who respects the doctrine of separation of powers, the very hallmark of the Presidential System of government and a fundamental aspect of most democratic systems. The President-elect must avoid interfering with the workings of the National Assembly to maintain this balance.

“To ensure that the National Assembly operates independently and free from external influence, the President must remain neutral. The Constitution provides for a system of checks and balances, allowing each branch of government to monitor and regulate the others to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

“If the President-elect takes sides in the leadership of the National Assembly, it could compromise the ability of lawmakers to carry out their duties and undermine the system of checks and balances, robbing the incoming administration of legitimacy and the healing that the nation so badly needs.

“To avoid a replay of 2015 which slowed down governance for four years, the President-elect must tread cautiously for a smooth ride in the incoming administration.

“Conclusively, the President-elect must maintain neutrality to ensure the smooth functioning of the new administration, maintain the separation of powers, and uphold the principles of democracy.

“This is vital for the incoming President to establish legitimacy and avoid tension and division that could hinder the government’s ability to pass legislation and address important issues. The APC Concerned Professionals urge the President-Elect to heed this call for neutrality in the leadership race for the 10th National Assembly,” it argued.

…Support, opposition against Akpabio build up

Meanwhile both support for and opposition against Akpabio  reportedly preferred by President-elect  have continued to gather cloud.

On Sunday, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) taking the opposition side, dissociated itself from the endorsement of the former Minister for Senate Presidency by Coalition of Northern groups.

Alhaji Musa Saidu, a member of the ACF in a statement on Sunday in Abuja said that endorsing Akpabio for the Senate Presidency would spell doom for Northern Nigeria.

Saidu who is also the leader of the Arewa Community in Southern Nigeria, said, “We hereby dissociate ourselves from the endorsement of Sen. Godswill Akpabio for the Senate Presidency by a coalition of Northern groups.

“The Coalition is not speaking for the North, it is just speaking for itself.

“No true Northern group will want to endorse Akpabio for a sensitive position like that of Senate President because he is not friendly with the North.

“We are the people who know Akpabio, because we are resident in the South, we know those who are friendly with the Northern people and Akpabio is actually not one of them.

“I want to condemn the endorsement in its entity because it was done out of ignorance.

“It is also possible that the groups were given some inducement to endorse Akpabio.

“I want to say that the Northern people are not beggars that will be endorsing people who are not friendly with them because of inducement.

“Why should the All Progressives Congress (APC) be bent on zoning the 10th Senate Presidency to the South, when we have competence hands in the the North.

“The North-West gave the APC the largest votes in the Feb. 25 presidential election; why not consider somebody from the zone.

“I think it’s time for the party to reward the zone for the massive votes rather than start looking for somebody from the South as Senate President.”

On support side, a coalition of Northern groups had endorsed Akpabio for the Senate Presidency,  saying he is best suited for the position.

Also, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, South-South zone joined other groups from the geo-political zone to drum support for Akpabio to become the next Senate President.

In a statement signed by its Assistant Secretary General, Comrade Uko Michael, and Vice President, Comrade Innocent Ajayi, the group said Akpabio has what it takes to pilot affairs of the senate, given his past achievements.

“Senator Akpabio is imbued with charisma, knowledge and experience to pilot the affairs of the 10th Senate as president. He is tested and trusted. The cap fits him, let him wear it.

“His antecedents, first as a Governor of Akwa Ibom State, former senate Minority Leader and immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs makes him eminently qualified and fit to take up this critical position,” the group stated.

A group, the Youth Progressive initiative in the North led by the President, Hon. Usman  Shehu Aliyu, the Danmalikin Hausa, threw its weight behind Akpabio for the Senate President  and Senator Barau Jibrin, his deputy in the 10th National Assembly.