North-central governors rejected the zoning of the 10th Assembly leadership announced by the ruling All Progressive Congress. APC had split the position of Senate President and Deputy Senate President between Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senator Jibrin Baraus as Deputy Senate President. At the same time, Honourable Tajudeen Abas was nominated for Speaker’s seat, and Benjamin Kulu was nominated for Deputy Speaker.
The governors agreed that the candidates’ positions were faulty but appealed to all senators-elect and elected representatives to continue to provide the president-elect with all the necessary support for the smooth running of the 10th Congress,
Furthermore, the North-Central governors agreed to proceed with consultations and recommendations to ensure an acceptable zoning framework will be all-inclusive.
The governors made the decision on Monday after meeting NASS presidential candidates in the zone in the banquet hall of the Abuja presidential palace.
The Governors will meet with President-elect Bola Tinubu and party leader Abdullahi Adamu.
According to governors said, ”
The North Central as a geopolitical zone is fully committed to supporting the incoming administration of the President-Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a better Nigeria. And will do everything possible to ensure the Renewed Hope agenda is actualised for the prosperity of all Nigerians.
“We reviewed the proposed zoning structure released and promised to reach out to the President-elect His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC National Working Committee to appeal for reconsideration of the zoning of the Presiding offices of the National Assembly as released by the NWC.
“We raised reservation about the zoning formula released with the allocation of the Positions of the Deputy Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 10th National Assembly to a particular geopolitical zone of the country.”
Governors who attended the meeting included Abubakar Bello, Governor Niger State, who is also the chairman; Simon Lalong, Governor of Plateau State; Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, Governor of Kwara State; Abdullahi Sule, Governor of Nassarawa State.
Others include Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, Governor-elect of Benue State.
The candidates present are Rt—Honourable Idris Wase, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives; Senator Sani Musa and Honourable Yusuf Gagdi.
cc: Punch Ng
