ABUJA – As inauguration of the 8th (June, 2015) Senate closes in, one of the favoured candidate for the office of the President of Senate of the Federal Republic and current Minority Leader, Sen. George Akume, has declared that he has no skeleton in his cupboard.
Briefing Senate Press Corps at his residence in Abuja, the Benue State born senator also submitted that under normal circumstances as the Minority Leader of the opposition party that has now become the majority, he should simply assume office as Senate President of the 8th Assembly.
“Given my political records and experience, I am qualified for the highest office in the Senate but, I am a party man, whatever decision my party takes is what I will follow”
On recent declaration that appointments into offices at the National Assembly would be by merit and not by zoning, Sen. Akume argued that zoning was a better option as it allows for equitable representation of regions, tribes and religion in government.
Pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Bisi Akande and a leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, had in separate press interviews, declared that zoning arrangement won’t be used to determine the next Senate President.
Akume warned that the All Progressive Congress (APC), his party which by dint of its performance at the last general elections would form the central government and majority party at the NASS starting from May 29, 2015, should not confirm the fears of critics that it was an Islamic party.
“Zoning is part parcel of the politics of Nigeria; even if it is not explicitly stated in the Constitution, there must be balance in power sharing in Nigeria; zoning also recognizes merit; we must run our affairs in such a manner that every interest is taken into consideration.
Zoning is a concept introduced as a deliberate effort to ensure equitable balance, Nigeria is a country of diverse ethnic and religious groups; if this diversity is not managed Ina careful manner, there could be problem.
Federal Character has been entrenched in the Constitution so as to avoid exemptions and maginalisations; zoning is to ensure that every section, be it tribe, religion and culture is represented in government; strategic positions should be shared and rotated; I’m not aware that zoning has been do e away with in my party”, he continued.
On the rationale for the North Central contending for the Senate Presidency, having held the office in the last eight years, Sen. Akume submitted that were the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to form the majority in the 8th Senate, the current occupant, Sen. David Mark (North Central), would have indisputably remain in the office.
He noted that precedents have been set thereby making none-sense of submissions that it was unjustifiable for the NC to continuously half on to the SP’s office.
According to him, democratic Nigeria has been ran by the North West and the South West until, 2011, when the South-South was allowed to produce the president, adding that even the current Vice-President elect was from Ogun State, South West.
“A precedence has already been established; these things have happened before; the North is not complaining; it is wonderful for the unity of the North and consolidation of the oneness of the North”, he further noted.
On possible emergence of a consensus candidate, Sen. Akume noted, “I am a strong party man, so, if consensus is the position of my party, I agree”.
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