The Arewa Journalists Forum (AJF) has stated that Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state possessed the qualities needed for the position of Senate President of the 10th National Assembly.
The forum, which said it is working in collaboration with the Arewa House, Northern Elders Forum and the Northern Senators Forum, noted that qualities such as political sagacity, clear vision backed by proven records of achievements, patriotism, leadership acumen and people- driven administrative competencies were essential for the intended leader of the assembly to possess.
Accordingly, the forum said Nigeria at the moment needed a shrewd manager of lean resources with the capacity to make a huge socio-economic impact in the polity, an entrepreneur with proven records of competence and political tenacity.
The secretary of the forum, Abraham Awodi, Thursday in Abuja said after careful evaluation of the qualities, known aspirants for the office and their records, it became obvious to all that senator-elect Umahi fits the bill because of his experience, competence and visionary leadership which its members said he brought to bear in Ebonyi state.
Describing the Ebonyi South senatorial district senator-elect as “a nationalist, bridge builder, across the Nigerian political space, political tactician, who possesses and leadership acumen, which he brought to bear on the governance of Ebonyi state, almost a decade now” the forum said Umahi from antecedent possesses what is needed to steer a stable legislature to assist the new government to turn the nation’s fortunes of around.
“We assure Nigerians that as a man of integrity he would bring his wealth of experience to bear on the national assembly, be people driven, and work to redeem the arm of government from its credibility problem. Reposition it to ensure that bills and motions have direct impact on Nigerians and shall guarantee their wellbeing and socio-economic development across our great country and by redefining democracy, and offering good governance to Nigerians.
“His track record of leadership in his home state of Ebonyi and his commitment to the development of our country are exemplary. We believe that he has the vision and the capacity to lead the National Assembly in a way that will promote the unity and progress of our nation”, Awodi said.
The dismissing arguments hinged on the ranking policy of the senate, the forum strongly argued that the selection of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly should neither be based mainly on political consideration and zonal arrangement nor ranking if the intention is to reposition the national assembly to attain the nation’s philosophy and developmental aspiration, fairness, and equity”.
Though acknowledging that on the basis of the multi-regional structure of Nigeria, and the fact South west and Northeast are where the president-elect and vice-president-elect hailed from and the Northwest is likely to produce the speaker of the House of Representatives, which left both the South south and South east regions to tussle for the senate president, the forum believes for inclusiveness, balance and equity, the Southeast should rightly be allowed to produce the next president of the senate.
Further, the forum said since the South south had ruled for six years, natural justice, political balancing, equity and fairness demands that the South east should inevitably produce the 10th National Assembly senate president. Doing so, the forum advanced, will douse tension and agitations on marginalization, and ultimately give every region a sense of belonging and mutual ownership of the nation.
