Senate President: APC Support Groups Root for Osita Izunaso

From Kelechi Opara, Abuja

As aspirants intensify the lobby for principal positions in the forthcoming 10th National Assembly, the Coalition of APC Support Groups (CASG) has appealed to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the position of Senate President to the South East.

The group further stated that the position should further be micro-zoned to Sen. Osita Izunaso due to his outstanding qualities.

Addressing the media at the National Secretariat of the party after presenting their position paper to the National Working Committee (NWC), leader of the Coalition, Dele Fulani said zoning the position to the region will among other things help in uniting the fragmented nation.

“For a smooth democratic process: there is a need for the protection of our nascent democracy which is hinged on the principle of Federal Character as provided in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that recognizes and promotes inclusivity of all groups in the Country into public offices.

“By compliance of this provision, the peaceful co-existence and national security is guaranteed which is the bedrock of progress and development of our nation.

“Without being subservient to primordial argument of state, tribal, religious, regional considerations, emphasis should be placed on character profile, experience, capacity and competence on who should superintend over any arm of Government especially the senate of the 10th Assembly. For the 10th Assembly, the aforementioned should be the yard stick in determining who becomes the Senate President.

“As members of the NWC, paramount amongst your reasons for preference on who becomes the senate president, should be commitment and loyalty to the party, capacity for performance and track record of service in party administration.

“While not objecting to the emotional argument of geo-political consideration, it behooves on the NWC to lean on the balance of justice and equity, and insecurity challenges to concede the senate president position to the South East geo-political zone, where undoubtedly character and competence is remarkably in abundance”.

On the clamour for the Izunaso presidency, Fulani said; “While not overstretching our bounds of advice, we are compelled to further micro zone the office of the Senate President to a square hole. Having considered the prerequisites reference? Above, we recommend a man who has character, capacity, competence, trust and above all loyalty to  the party as most suitable for the office of the Senate President.

“The man best suitable for the office so described is Distinguished Senator Osita Izunaso, OFR: a ranking senator, the most senior senator from the South East zone in the 10 Assembly, a member of the APC merger committee, APC caucus member, National Organizing Secretary etc”.

The group also hinted on his humanitarian gesture using the Kpakpando foundation to cater for persons with disability.

Also speaking, convener of the Coalition, Mazi Peter Okoroafor said Sen. Izunaso is the most qualified senator from the South East adding that he has both the legislative experience and character to harmonize the green chambers.