Nigeria practices presidential system of government. Presidential system of government by principles is supposed to be adopted by a Multi-Ethnic as well as Multi-Religious state. However, in a heterogonous state Sensitivities as well as sensibilities of divergent views ought to be considered. In a Pluralist Democracy like ours there is too much emphasis on ethnicity, religious, regional, and primordial factors. In the advance Democracies Competence, ability, capacity and integrity are given emphases not any primordial or parochial considerations but in society like ours is entirely different.
The six contenders of the Senate Presidency seat are all from Minority ethnic groups, except perhaps Senator Saraki. Senator Goerge Akume, is a “Tiv man”from Benue state (North –Central); Senator Abdullahi Adamu, an “Afo man” from Nasarawa state, (North –Central); Senator Abubakar Bukola saraki, a “Yoruba man” from Kwara state (North –Central); Senator Danjuma Goje a “Jukum man”from Gombe state (North –East); Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, a “Goza man” from Borno state, ( North –East); and Senator Ahmed Lawan, a Bade man” from Yobe state.
My role model and a veteran Journalist, Mohammed Haruna, Daily Trust, Wednesday Column, May 13, 2015 in his article titled “The Eight Senate rollercoaster” on zoning, he argued that: “This party introduced and popularized zoning in Nigerian’s politics…. APC should therefore discard it and allow a free-for all in the elections for the National Assembly leadership, based on who its members think would lead them best and serve the public interest best.
Perhaps what Mohammed Haruna meant by PDP introduced Zoning is the institutionalization of it into PDP’s constitution? Not its originator.
National Party of Nigeria, NPN which held sway between 1979-1983 introduced the concept of zoning in Nigerian politics. Whether zoning is a political reality of our country or not it remains debatable.
Second Republic was between 1979-1983. NPN government, then had president Shehu Aliyu Shagari as its president( from Sokoto state, North-west); Dr Alex Ekwueme, NPN’s Vice president( from Amambra state, South-East); National Chairman, NPN, Chief Akinloye Adisa( from Osun state, South- West); Senate president, Joseph Wayas (from Cross- Rivers state, South-South);Deputy Senate president, John Wash Pam( from Plateau state, North- Central); Dr Olusola Saraki,( from Kwara state, North-Central) was the senate leader. The Speaker of the federal house of representatives, happened to be Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke of NPP (from Anambra state, South-East) having struck a coalition deal between NPN and NPP in view of the fact that, NPN lacked the required majority seats to form the speaker chair as such he emerged as the speaker; Alh. Idris Ibrahim Kuta of NPN,(from Niger state, North-Central) became the Deputy speaker.
After the General Election of 1983 Senate president, Joseph Wayas (from Cross- Rivers state, South-South) retained the senate president position; Deputy Senate president, was Mamman Abubakar Danmusa (from Kastina state, North-West);Mr Benjamin Chaha,(from Benue state,North-Central) emerged speaker.
Third Republic 1991-1993. Although in reality there was never a full blown Republic called the “Third Republic”. It was what scholars described as “Diarchy”. The supposed winner of the June 12, 1993, General Election was the late Chief M.K.O Abiola (from Ogun state, South-West); Ambassador Babagana Kingibe,(from Borno state, North-East) was is running mate; Chief Tony Anenih, (from Edo state, South-South) was the National party Chairman; Dr Iyorchia Ayu, ( from Benue state, North- Central) was the Senate president later on Mr Ameh Ebuteh,(from Benue state, North- Central) replaced him ;Albert Legogie,(from Delta state, South-South) was the Deputy Senate president ;Chief Agunwa Anaekwe ,(from Anambra state, South- East) became the speaker; Deputy speaker of House of Representatives was Engineer Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso,( from Kano state, North- West).
Fourth Republic from 1999- to date. Peoples Democratic party, PDP had President Olusegun Obasanjo,(from Ogun state, South-West) as the President. Alh. Atiku Abubakar, (from Adamawa state, Noth-East) was the Vice President. Senate presidents. Chief Evans Enwerem,(from Imo state, South- East); later Dr Chuba Okadibo,(from Anambra state, South- East) was the Senate President. Anyim Pius Anyim,(from Ebonyi state, South- East).Adolphus Wabara,(from Abia state, South-East); Chief Ken Nnamani, (from Enugu state, South-East) and the present Senate president, General David Mark,(from Benue state, North-Central).
Deputy Senate presidents, Senator Haruna Abubakar,(from Nasarawa state, North- Central). Senator Nasiru Ibrahim Mantu, (from Plateau state, North-Central);Austin Opara, (from Rivers state, South-South) and Ike Ekweremadu, (from Enugu state, South-East).
Speakership from 1999 todate, Alh. Salisu Buhari, (from Kano state, Noth-West); Alh. Ghali umar Na’Abba,(from Kano state, North-West). Alh. Aminu Bello Masari ,(from Katsina state, North- West); Mrs Patricia Etteh,(from Osun state, South-West).Rt. Hon. Oladimeji Bankole, (from Ogun state, South-West) and the present speaker, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambawal, (from Sokoto state, North- West).
Deputy Speakers in fourth Republic: Chibudom Nwuche, (from Rivers state, South-South).Austin Opara, (from Rivers state, South-South); Babangida Nguroje,(from Taraba state, Norh- East). Bayero Nafada,(from Gombe state, North- East and the present Chief Emeka Ihedioha, (from Imo state, South- East).
PDP’s National chairmen: Chief Solomon Lar, (from Plateau state, North- Central);Chief Audu Ogbeh,(from Benue state, North- Central);Barnabas Gamade,(from Benue state, North- Central). Col. Ahmadu Ali,(from Kogi state, North- Central),Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo,(from Enugu state South-East) Vincent Eze Ogbulafor Vicent Obulafo,(from Abia state South-East);Alh. Bamanga Tukur,(from Adamawa state, North-East) and the out gone Alh. Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu,(from Bauchi state- North- East) the “Game Changer”, indeed the real Game Changer.”
For the incoming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption head on, the administration needs a person as a Senate President who has a strong character without a moral burden or allegation of corruption against him. This is because, General Buhari during his electioneering campaign period mentioned anti-corrupt more than anything. General Buhari gave more emphasis on three areas of: Economy, Security and Anti-corruption during the campaign period. Buhari is known for his anti-corruption stands and he, therefore, needs unblemished partners as the leaders of the national assembly.
Mohammed Haruna,(Daily Trust, May 13, 2015) on election of the next Senate President, said: “The most important consideration should never be where the contestants come from. Far more important are first, their demonstrated personal integrity and commitment to public service as opposed to self service and, second, their abhorrence of the old divide and rule ways of the PDP government leadership.
There are, of course, other considerations like competence and a capacity to keep outsiders from meddling in the strictly internal affairs of the National Assembly. However, the overriding consideration must be the personal integrity of an aspirant and his commitment to public service such as would facilitate, rather than hinder, president-elect Muhammadu Buhari from bringing about at least the beginning of change he has promised.”
I call on all the “Senators-elect” to be mindful of or consider the fact that Nigerians yearned for “change” and they have gotten it. My role model and a veteran Journalist, Mohammed Haruna,(Daily Trust, May 13,2015) said: Nigerians voted for APC for change and not to carry on with the discredited ways of the PDP.” Let’s the Senators- elect remember that, it is not going to be “Business as usual” under General Buhari, rather we do hope to witness “Business unusual.” We need a Senate President that will support the naming and shaming of corrupt public officers past, immediate past and present ones. Somebody who is carrying a moral burden or who has an allegation of corruption against him should be told to excuse the incoming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari.
We have had enough of zoning; let’s consider competence, merit, integrity, exposure, experience, morality and incorruptibility. Among the contenders. In my humble opinion, of all the six contenders even though some are pretenders yet in my Judgment they all pass the litmus test of competence, exposure and experience. They are all competent, exposed, and experienced, but who among them can pass the litmus test of incorruptibility and integrity? In my views whosoever passes the litmus of integrity and incorruptibility should be voted by the senators- elect regardless of his religion or region.
A respected columnist with the Peoples Daily, Emmanuel Yawe in his article titled, “A vote for Akume” argued that: “APC stands at a dangerous crossroad. The party has produced a President-elect, a Muslim; he is billed to head the executive, the most powerful branch of government in our current constitutional arrangement. When he takes office, he will work with the head of the Judiciary, another branch of government also headed by a Muslim. It will be politically suicidal to allow the third and the last arm of government, the legislature, also be headed by a Muslim in a religiously charge atmosphere as we have in Nigeria.” Peoples Daily, Monday, May 18, 2015.
However, my respected columnist has forgotten so soon that three Christians have led the three branches of government under this “Fouth Repblic”. President Good Luck Jonathan, headed Executive; Chief Justice Allocious Katsina Alu, headed the Judiciary,(from Benue state, North- Central) and David Mark, (from Benue state, North- Central). Headed the Legislature.
Another renowned columnist of the Peoples Daily, Ali M. Ali in his article titled Senate: My head for Lawan, My heart for Akume. In the article for Senator Ahmed Lawan he said: “he is unblemished. He is, therefore, not encumbered by moral or political scandal. He is similarly not beholden to any visible godfather.”Peoples Daily, Thursday, May 21, 2015. For Akume he had this to say: “Akume is the face of the new fate of progressive middle belt politics. His ascension to the presidency of the senate will help blunt the fault lines that perpetually make the middle belt at dagger drawn with the rest of north.”
Abba Mahmood, a columnist with the leadership Newspaper, Thursday, May 21, 2015 in his article titled: “Still on the Senate Presidency”, said: “President elect Muhammadu Buhari is in for a fierce battle with corruption in his tenure,….And Buhari would have to parade his most democratic credentials in dealing with it in the other arms of government, especially legislature, whose backing he requires to conquer corruption. In particular, Buhari would need the best Knife in his drawer for his campaign. Assuming that Buhari has no preferred candidate , as he said yesterday, he would still not find working with a stigmatized legislator, or with a case with the anti-corruption agencies or the police, easy, besides, Buhari has always emphasized rewarding party loyalty.”
“In assessing all the people seeking to occupy the president’s office, it is important to factor in the type of government that they are coming to work with. A rubber-stamp Senate like the seventh assembly in Jonathan’s time would be unhelpful, just as Senate President with a blemish would hurt progressive legislation and keep the President walking on egg-shells. For example, although still lacking evidence, his Boko Haram related case in court might have the field open for Senator Amhed Lawan, because many people believe that governors rush to the senate in search of immunity. This is pronounced now more than ever. Although it is not a reason to exclude them from further holding office, there are not enough grounds obliterating the suspicion. This leaves the race between the three horses. But Akume, for example, is alleged to have questions to answer about his personal life, a wild allegation which can only be left to people with a wild imagination. For Bukola Saraki, who needs immunity more than the Senate Presidency, the society Generale Bank allegations have been worrisome, though he has not been tried before any court of competent Jurisdiction. Moreover, there are indications that he may use the Senate Presidency to feed a hidden ambition which may overheat the polity prematurely. Ironically, when he showed interest in the Presidency in, the police Special Frauds Unit, SFU, harassed him and he succumbed. As a whistleblower on the subsidy scam in the Senate, the EFCC revisited his tenure as Kwara governor in an attempt to shut him up. That perhaps is why the Ahmed Lawan option looks like the finest Knife in the cupboard. Senator Lawan is a consistent progressive and one of the most experienced in the NASS.” Leadership Newspaper, Thursday, May 21, 2015.
Mohammed Haruna, (Daily Trust, May 13, 2015) on the choice Senate President, said: “in my thinking that choice should be Senator George Akume. His choice could signal the beginning of an end to a badly divided North, especially religious wise, a division which, in turn, has been very bad for Nigerian’s peace, stability and progress. His choice is also likely to pose the least obstructive of the…to the Senate working hand-in- glove with the presidency to bring an end to the impunity that so much characterized the departing PDP government and made the lives of most Nigerians so nasty, brutish and short.”
As am writing this piece I just watched the announcement of Senator Ahmad Lawan- George Akume Ticket in NTA Network News with the two Senators rightly there, what a perfect combination. This is as the “Dino Meleye’s group” claimed to have had the endorsement of 35 APC’s Senators remember APC has 62 Senators while PDP has 49 Senators in a Senate of 109 members. Also, I learnt that Mohammed Ali Ndume has been lobbying to pair with Senator Saraki. Earlier on that was a report that said both Senator Saraki and Ahmed Lawan have been trying to pair with Ike Ekweremadu of the PDP. Therefore, with the emergence of Lawan-Akume Ticket. Senator Saraki can now cash in. However, if Senator Saraki succeeded in pairing with Ike Ekweremadu. What will only left to be seen is whether Saraki-Ekeremadu Ticket can deliver all the 49 PDP’s Senators votes to Saraki –Ekweremadu Ticket. And if what Dino said is something to go by, then Senator Saraki will emerge winner with 84 votes leaving only 25 votes for his opponent.
On the other hand, you never can tell what lawan- Akume Ticket will get out of the 49 PDP’s Senators bearing in mind that the Ticket already has 27 Senators out the APC’s 62 Senators that is Senator-elect Dino Melaye’s claim is something to go by. Ali M. Ali said: My head for Lawan, My heart for Akume. But for me both my head and heart go for Lawan- Akume Ticket.
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Nurudeen Dauda, is a political commentator
And be reached through- nurudeendauda@yahoo.com or 07038126007.
