Northern group kicks against zoning of Senate Presidency
*Endorses Niger Governor for NASS top job
A Northern group, named Arewa Initiative for Good Governance, has kicked against the zoning of Senate Presidency to a particular region or religion.
It said this ahead of inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June, adding that determination of next President of the Senate should be by character and competence.
The Initiative, according to a media report, also noted that the unity and peace of Nigeria, especially in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, largely depends on the National Assembly and its leadership.
It said this is so because the NASS will be saddled with responsibility of leading the healing process and rebuilding the mutual trust among various aggrieved divides across the country.
Against this backdrop, the Arewa Initiative for Good Governance said it had endorsed the Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Sani Musa, as the next Senate President.
While announcing its endorsement, it described the Niger State governor as the best among equals to lead the 10th National Assembly.
Addressing a news conference in Kaduna, convener of the group, Salisu Tanko, and its spokesman, Al-Bab Abdullahi, say the present polarisation of the country along ethnic and religious lines during the general elections, therefore, requires a vibrant National Assembly under the leadership of Senator Musa to be able reunite the country.
The group also asserted that some of the northern Senators jostling for the position of the Senate President are only interested in their future political gains, and not based on patriotic desire to restore peace and development in the country.
The group therefore appealed to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to allow the elected lawmakers to choose the best among themselves that will lead them , rather than zoning the position of the Senate President to a particular region.
