From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Arewa Youths Integrity Forum and the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Political Matters, Alhaji Sani Idris, have called on the National leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the speakership of the 10th National Assembly to North West.
The call was coming as another northern youth group, Arewa Young Professionals in Politics (AYPP), said the Party leadership should in the interest of national unity, stability and cohesion, allow the South-East produce the next Senate President.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Friday, Arewa Youths Integrity Forum and Governor El-Rufai’s political aide argued that, since the South-West and North-East have produced, the President and Vice President-elect, respectively, and the North-West for obvious reasons cannot have the Senate President’s seat, the region as the highest contributor to the APC’s victory, should have the House of Representatives speakership position.
They further argued that the position should be reserved for the most senior ranking member from the North-West, in person of Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, a fourth termer representing Zaria Federal Constituency.
According to Idris and the youth group leader, Abdulrauf Abdullahi said, “We at the Arewa Youths Integrity Forum having considered all the potential candidates for the position of 10th Speaker of the House of Representatives resolved that there is no one more deserving of this position other than Hon. Abbas Tajudeen (PhD).
“To set the records straight, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen PhD is an illustrious son of the Northwest region who hails from the Mallawa ruling dynasty of Zazzau emirate.”
He hails from Kaduna State, and Zaria Local Government to be precise. It is on record that the Northwest region has the highest registered voters and gave the APC the highest votes in the Presidential Elections. The North West region has the most sophisticated and well enlightened voters who should not be taken for granted for future political collaborations.
“Since the region is not producing the President and Vice President nor the Senate President, it is only rewarding to allot the slot of the Speaker to Abbas Tajudeen who is the only senior ranking member from the region.
“By virtue of experience, qualification and expertise, it is a proven track record that Hon. Abbas Tajudeen is more qualified to take the Speakership position. Firstly, he is a fourth time member, secondly, he is more educated by virtue of holding a PhD degree in Business Administration and having being a university lecturer before where teaching, research and community service are the cardinal principles, thirdly, he has been Chairman of Land Transport committee and has held membership and executive of many committee in the National Assembly since his first stint, lastly, he is an embodiment of knowledge, perseverance, honestly, initiative empathy and compassion which is the modern trait of successful leaders, they said.
“On the 10th Speakership position of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, we at the Arewa Youths Integrity Forum unanimously resolved that Hon. Muhammad Danasabe Chokali is more deserving of the highly coveted seat. This is owing to reasons of political stability and power rotations amongst others. It is a known fact that the Governor-elect Distinguished Senator Uba San contested under the Central Zone of Kaduna State, which automatically guarantees the Speakership position to be allotted to Zone One since the Deputy Governor-elect is from Zone three of the state.
“Additionally, Zaria Local Government where Hon. Muhammad Danasabe Chokali hails from giving the APC the highest votes in the just concluded Governorship Elections which calls for a reward, more so, Hon. Danasabe Chokali is a third term member who has acquired the required experience, qualification and expertise to lead a successful assembly that will bring about the dividend of democracy to the good people of Kaduna State. With his present portfolio as the Majority leader of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, he is more qualified to hold the Speakership position so that he will use his experience to assist the Governor in leading Kaduna State to the path of sustainable development,” it said.
At their own press conference addressed by its Convener, Yusuf Idris Amoke at the popular Arewa House, Arewa Young Professionals in Politics, stressed the need for the APC leadership and the President-elect to employ wisdom in the power distribution, saying that, “it is important that we ensure power is distributed fairly across the nation t foster a sense of belonging for every region and religion, and prevent any divisive tension that could undermine the government’s effectiveness.
“As the Arewa Young Professionals in Politics, we are urging the APC leadership and the President-elect to carefully consider the need for political inclusion in the power equation. Specifically, we call on them to: Zone the Senate Presidency to the South East for greater political inclusion.”
