Izunaso: Still on South-East’s Aspiration for Senate President
By Abdul Jelil Adebayo
As the controversy over who gets what from the four principal offices in the 10th National Assembly, NASS rages on both the rope (APC) and the hen (the aspirants) are not finding it easy. No longer at ease!!
The party has taken a stand but the aspirants for these offices are looking eye ball to eyeball that respects beget respect.
Most of the candidates are not happy that they were not carried along, and they are justified if so.
The national chairman who is acting the fatherly role is been called a mole because he assured agrieved candidates that the party would consult the more, and there is nothing bad with this stance of his either.
But the problem which if not handle appropriately might give the APC a bloodied face is not minding the complain of these aspirants and the claim that party is supreme.
It can only be supreme if all are involved holistically and not for one man to determine the fate of 109 senators and 360 Reps.
Everyone is giving reason for his position as to how the zoning should be.
And going by their submissions, they may have a point, but collective interest should override personal interest.
Senate Presidency is not for sale and competence, loyalty and commitment to the four cardinal objectives of the party matters and not who can buy his way through.
As for those who are saying because South East gave the President-elect less than 2% of his total votes as such they don’t deserve a position among the first 3 out of the 4 are not getting it right at all.
If going by such submission, a recall to 1999 means Obasanjo shouldn’t have been president because he didn’t get much votes from his zone nor from his ward.
Kano that got the Speaker of the House of Representatives then shouldn’t have gotten the number 4 slot.
As it was in 1999 so it is now, there was a Sunami that swept through the South East just as the then AD/APP alliance swept through the South West.
And if it happened in 1999 and eyebrows were not raised, why now then.
Anyway those clamouring for the nation’s number 3 slot from the South East have reduced from 3 to 2.
Outgoing governor of Ebonyi state has agreed to step down and willing to collect a ministerial slot in it’s stead.
The two remaining are Orji Uzor Kalu and Osita Izunaso, each is flouting his credentials on why he is fit for the position and job. And they are both qualified. But only one must be chosen.
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June 6th, or any day that might be chosen for the proclamation, is just a shouting days away, the position of the party is openingly being challenged which is not healthy for the in coming president.
But what the Senate doesn’t need at this time is flaunting wealth, it needs first among equals, a team player and one that has been long in the chamber to know the rudiments of the office in question.
Taking into consideration the political spread of offices before now since 1999, the three major zones have the first three shots of President, Vice President and the Senate President.
Be that as it may, the South East should produce the number three man. And looking around for one that has competence, cool headed, not too full of self, a team player, approachable and has been in the corridor of NASS as a worker and a lawmaker, then one person stands out.
And the person the cap fits is Senator Osita Izunaso from Imo State.
A young unassuming politician that is cool headed and operate with decisive masterstroke as his trademark.
A renowned journalist and one time Chief Press Secretary to the Third Republic Speaker, Agunwa Anakwe and later moved a notch higher to become the Chief Press Secretary to the first Senate President of the Fourth Republic, Evans Enwerem.
A lawyer and administrator, Izunaso moved over to public service as he became Press Secretary to the Minister of Labour, Youths and Sports.
His divine part brought him back to National Assembly as he was elected a member of the House of Representatives. Destiny shone on him as he also moved higher into the Red chamber as a Senator of the Federal Republic.
After leaving NASS, destiny pushed him further to become the first National Organising Secretary of the ruling party, All Progressive Congress, APC.
None of those competing for the number three position can boast of these credentials.
He has a pet project tagged Kpakpando Foundation which is for Persons with Disability, PWD.
It was founded 17 years ago with the aim of catering for the needs of persons with Disability.
Izunaso has repeatedly said that he is in the race to serve the people of Nigeria and promised that it will be all inclusive administration where every senator will have equal access to the funds of the Senate.
In summary Izunaso wants to be first among equal because he has all the necessary qualities of a Senate President. He is a faithful and loyal party man, an accommodating, philanthropist, humane, loved by most people he comes in contact with.
His shoulders are big enough to bear the burdens of the office, because he has passed through that road before.
He is for this moment, the best option for the 10th Senate Presidency.
His pedigree shows that he is capable and most qualified for it.
With this intimidating credentials, Osita indeed is the best for the Senate Presidency.
Abdul is an Abuja based journalist.
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