Follow Us on Google
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
All Progressives Congress (APC) State Assembly Forum (ASAF) has petitioned President Mohammadu Buhari, president-elect, Bola Tinubu, and the leadership of the ruling party to maintain equity, justice and inclusiveness in zoning the positions for the 10th National Assembly in the interest of the party
In a letter addressed to the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, ASAF urged the party’s leadership to balance the lopsidedness in the Senate leadership by zoning the presidency to the North West.
The forum argued that the zone still remains one of the few zones that has not produced Senate president of the country since the return to democracy in 1999
North West, according to the forum; “should also be appreciated and encouraged to strengthen its sure political base for the APC and booster votes as well as a parting shot to our outgoing amiable President Buhari in appreciation of his immense service to the party since inception.”
The Forum in its letter, signed by the Director General, Fubara Dagogo, equally advocated the zoning of House of Representatives speaker to the South East, while the South South should retain the office of deputy Senate president.
Dagogo also urged APC leadership to consider South East for Senate majority leader, while the North Central zone should be given the House majority leader.
“In a special consultative session in Abuja; a session convened to, among other things, plan for the upcoming induction of the newly elected APC state assembly members into the forum in a ceremony to be unveiled soon, we took leave to delve into the topical issue of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly under the majority party APC.
“We noted the feverish interest it has generated in the party and the polity. And our deep concern draws from past experiences, especially witnessed in the choosing of the leadership of the 8th National Assembly in 2015.
“To this end, we resolved to communicate our considered position openly to the national leadership of our party through the national leader of the party and President Buhari, the president-elect, Tinubu and the National Chairman, Adamu as well as members and stakeholders of the party at home and in the diaspora.
“In the light of the above considerations and after due consultations with the entire membership of the forum, we have, hereby, projected a zoning formula for further consideration and adoption as an official template for the party, in this instance, towards ensuring strict adherence to party cohesion, equity, fairness, justice and national unity
“Having occupied the position of the Senate president severally in this fourth republic, a speaker from the South East will provide a soothing balm to our distressed members from the zone and will serve to encourage them in their efforts to grow the party with renewed vigour in the zone for future victory at the polls.
“We must declare here upfront that this deeply considered projection is altruistic, nationalistic, futuristic and bearing in mind the best possible outcome for the party and the overall unity, progress and prosperity of our beloved country Nigeria.
“We urge all party faithful to look to this path as we prepare for a smooth swearing in and take-off of the incoming administration on May, 2023,” ASAF said in the letter.
