The controversy that trailed the zoning of principal officers of the 8th National Assembly following the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the last general elections appears to have been put to rest as the party has thrown the offices open to all contenders irrespective of zoning.
Addressing journalists yesterday at the Defence House, Abuja, shortly after his visit to the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, APC national leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu disclosed that the party will not compromise merit, integrity, competence and character for zoning.
Tinubu, whose name has featured prominently as backing certain candidates for the Senate presidency and speakership of House of Representatives positions, said the party must settle for candidates who have strong character and can deliver.
The APC leader insisted that zoning would not enthrone the best for the party and the nation, and stated that the selection process would be thrown open for all contestants just like the party did at its presidential primary in Lagos last November.
Tinubu said: “On National Assembly zoning, you have heard from the party; you have heard from leadership; my desire is not to rock the party; I’m a disciplined party man and we will look at it critically.
“However, the nation is expecting us to take a decisive leadership decision and make one meritoriously. Merit will not be compromised: you have to be competent; you have to possess the kind of character, the kind of attributes to leadership; you have to be pan-Nigerian and be a very solid character to lead the National Assembly, and that is what we are talking about.
“It’s not zoning to compromise quality of leadership and competence of an individual. I believe we have a very determined party leadership. We have resolved to follow our leadership and the criteria set by that leadership, including myself. No, we would not use zoning to determine and compromise the credibility, the qualification of an individual.”
According to him, every interested legislator should be allowed to aspire for the available leadership positions in the National Assembly, noting that just like the party threw open threw the floor open in the presidential primary and came up with the best candidate, same would happen with the leadership of the federal legislature.
“Expect the best from us always,” he concluded.
Nigerien President Visits Buhari
President-elect Muhammadu Buhari yesterday received the President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou, who paid him a congratulatory and solidarity visit.
In a statement by Mallam Garba Shehu, director of media and publicity of the media team of the president-elect, the Niger leader said he brought the greetings of his countrymen to the president-elect as well as to the outgoing Nigerian leader, President Goodluck Jonathan for the free and fair election that brought a peaceful change of leadership.