Arewa group wants Igbo as next Senate President

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Anorthern political group, Arewa Young Professionals in Politics, has urged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to in the interest of national unity, stability and cohesion, zone the Senate presidency to the SouthEast.

The group, which argued that, House of Representatives speakership is enough to compensate the North-West, despite being the largest contributor to APC victory, said South-East should be given a sense of belonging, despite its meagre contribution.

Addressing a press conference at the popular Arewa House in Kaduna on Wednesday, Convener of the Group, Mal. Yusuf Idris Amoke said, the APC leadership and the President-elect need to employ wisdom in the power distribution.

According to him, “We are here today to discuss the crucial issue of political inclusion in Nigeria. As you are aware, the recent general elections saw the APC emerge victorious at the Presidential and National Assembly level.

“Now, as we move to the next phase of politicking which involves determining the leadership of the red and green chambers of the National Assembly, it is important that we ensure power is distributed fairly across the nation.

“This will foster a sense of belonging to every region and religion, and prevent any divisive tension that could undermine the government’s effectiveness.

“As the Arewa Young Professionals in Politics, we are urging the APC leadership and the President-elect to carefully consider the need for political inclusion in the power equation. Specifically, we call on them to: Zone the Senate Presidency to the South East for greater political inclusion.

“We also call on them to zone the Speakership to the North West as compensation for their significant role in the emergence of the government.

“They need to ensure that the leadership of the National Assembly projects our religious diversity for national cohesion. These steps will go a long way in promoting unity and national integration.

“We implore the APC leadership and the President-elect to employ wisdom in making these decisions,” Amoke said.