Tenth Assembly; Group advises APC on right leadership to sustain momentum
The APC Integrity Group has said that the party can only sustain the momentum it had created across the country with the right leadership at the incoming 10th National Assembly.
The group said this in statement, jointly signed by Malam Dawu Mohammed its National Coordinator, and Mr Chisom Nwakanma, its Secretary, on Wednesday in Abuja.
It, however, said that Sen. Mohammed Musa, Senator representing Niger East, is the most qualified to serve as the Deputy Senate President (DSP) of the incoming 10th Senate because of his antecedents and records.
It, therefore, added that in considering the leadership composition of the incoming 10th National Assembly, the APC should look at the loyalty, versatility, leadership prowess and commitment of Musa.
This, it said, was especially with regards to good governance, national unity and the welfare of Nigerians.
It added that as a group dedicated to the promotion of democratic values, it believes that Musa is top on list among those jostling to give the 10TH National Assembly the needed leadership.
“Though he is eminently qualified, capable and ready to execute the functions of the Chairman of the National Assembly as the Senate President.
“We, however, think it is unjust and unfair to the balance of natural justice and Nigeria’s unity to encourage the APC to zone the Senate Presidency to the North.
“For us, zoning the office to the South-East or South-South is adequate compensation to the agitations of these regions, and we stand by that,’’ the statement said.
It added that the group is confident that the zoning formula needs balancing to give the North-Central, North-West, South-West, South-East and South-South a sense of belonging.
“With the president going to the South-West, the Vice-President taken by the North-East, and considering that the outgoing President, Muhammadu Buhari, hails from the North-West.
“We see it appropriate that the North-Central like the South-East and South-South is carried along in the scheme of things.
“Against this background, recall that among numerous ground breaking interventions on national matters, Sen. Musa’s ingenuity at using legislative machinery to solve national issues remains unparalleled in the history of the National Assembly,’’ it said.
The statement recalled that what we had today as the INEC BVAS machine, originated from the card reader technology introduced by Musa.
It said the lawmaker also sponsored a total of 26 Bills, of the 21 per cent total legislations sponsored by North-Central Senators in the Ninth Assembly.
It added that Musa as the Deputy Senate President of the incoming 10th National Assembly would be of immense benefit to the APC and the country generally.
“We reiterate our belief that though we have won the presidential election and secured the majority at both the Senate and House of Representatives, it is only when we get it right with the right leadership at the 10th Assembly that we can sustain the momentum we have been able to create across the nation.
“And to get it right, we urge all well-meaning Nigerians and members of the APC to join the urgent call for Sen. Musa as the Deputy Senate President (DSP).
“This will ensure that the policy direction of the administration of Sen. Bola Tinubu, the President-elect, receives robust, meaningful and strategic supports at the National Assembly.
“This way, we will provide democratic dividends to Nigerians, further unite the country, and among others, bring even our detractors to our fold,’’ the statement said.
It congratulated those who emerged victorious in the contest and urged citizens, former contestants and their supporters to join hands with the victors to build a new Nigeria where security and development are guaranteed.
It also congratulated Federal and State lawmakers elected by their people to contribute to national development.
It urged those who were newly elected to quickly learn the ropes of lawmaking as the nation is in a haste to meet global indices for development, industrialisation, economic growth and enviable citizens` welfare.
It congratulated returning Senators and members of the House of Representatives, saying they should remain faithful to the hopes and confidence that their constituencies repose on them.
“For you, it’s not a new terrain, you have been here. So, wear your legislative shoes and hit the ground running for a development-centred 10th National Assembly. There’s no time to waste,‘’ the statement said.
It called on APC leadership to rise to the occasion, and to remember that it is not just enough to win the presidency, and to have a majority of lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives.
“The task ahead is enormous as we must prove to Nigerians, and the entire continent, as well as the rest of the world that we are a party capable of taking care of our people through robust legislations, and execution of public-interest policies.
“We must also prove to everyone, ourselves, countrymen and women who like us sought Nigerians’ confidence to lead them, that we are with them every inch of the way.
“To do this, it is time to set the proper structure and machineries in motion, first, we must put the right leadership at the National Assembly,“ the statement said.
This, it added, was so, not just to give the necessary impetus to the realisation of the campaign promises the party made, but to ensure stability, focus and progress.
It added that it was also critical to ensure robust legislative machinery to oil the wheel of the country’s social, economic, political, security, and other vital sectors in the years ahead. (NAN)