By Kingsley Okoye/Naomi Sharang

Senators- elect from the North-Central have  said that the least position worthy of the zone was the position of  the Deputy President of the Senate.

Senator-elect for Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Ahmed Wadada  (SDP-Nasarawa) made the declaration on behalf of the North -Central Senators-elect caucus at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

Wadada, who holds the traditional title of Sarkin Yakin Keffi, said that the least position the zone would go for was the position of the Deputy Senate President.

He said: “We as a caucus meet and first welcome the President -elect from his trip and asked that fairness takes place in the distribution of leadership to all the geo-political zones.

“Of course we are aware that there are agitations from various geo- political zones on the positions of Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

“Haven been aware of these agitations of course, it should be called to mind that the South-West and the North-East haven’t produced the president and vice president respectfully.

“The north-central as a result of that is of the stand and position that the least position we will go for is the deputy senate president and this is not just coming today.

“The north-central caucus has been consistent from the commencement of the politics that will lead to the emergence of the leadership of the national assembly.

“That has always been our position that  we are for the deputy senate president position and that is what we stand for.

“We shall work in harmony, mutuality and cordiality with all other geo- political zones for the good of Nigeria but not to be compromised for any reason what so ever.”

The senators-elect also disclosed that the caucus was projecting Sen. Sani Musa ( APC-Niger) for the position of Deputy Senate President of the 10th Senate.

“We made it clear at our maiden meeting to give the position to the  chairman of this caucus, Sen. Sani Musa.

“We all agreed among us that whatever comes to north-central goes to Sen. Sani Musa because we are a united family.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the caucus comprised members of different political parties.(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Sarafina Christopher

The Coalition of
Civil Society Organization for Peace and Unity of Nigeria (CCSOPUN) have advocated for a Senate President from the South-East to promote fairness, equity, Justice and balance for peace and unity of Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the call was made on Thursday during a meeting on “10th National Assembly Leadership” issues and prospects in Abuja.

According to Dr Onwubuya Breakforth, Chairman of the Coalition, the South East -geo-political zones are being treated unfairly and unjustly in the political equation of our country.

“From 1999 till date, the South East has been denied Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the South West has done Presidency from 1999-2007, North-West 2007 to 2011, South-South from 2011 to 2015, North-West again 2015 to 2023.

“For the Vice President, North East has done from 1999 to 2007, South –South has 2007 to 2011 and North-East 2011 to 2015 and South-West 2015 to 2023.

“Now 2023 should have been the turn of the South-East to produce the President of Nigeria but the ongoing events now showed that South-West again has the President and North-East for Vice President.

“The question is, where is the South-East in all this political equation? Where is fairness? Where is equity? Where is brotherhood? Where is justice? Where is one Nation?

“To this end, we sincerely plead with all National Leaders, Political Fathers and elites, the Leadership of APC, PDP, LP, APGA, SDP, YPP and all elected Senators to for once stand for truth, justice, equity and cohesion.

“To support the candidates for South-East to emerge as Senate President that will in a long way heal our divisions, agitations, and discourage any act of National insubordination.”Breakforth said.

He also added that the South-East Presidency will help discourage continuous agitations like IPOB, and others in the South-East.

“We have reputable senators from the South-East such as Senator Osita Izunaso and others that have the capacity to Chairman the National Assembly and bring the balancing and dividend of democracy as Nigerians are clamoring especially from the South-East.

“This coalition will resist and protest against any attempt by APC to zone the Senate Presidency to any other zone other than South-East.

“Further support for disunity, inequality and unfairness is not acceptable as it will continue to worsen National disunity,” he said.

In his remarks, Alhaji Salisu Abdullahi, Pan African Youth, noted that the most important thing for all Nigerians was the unity of this nation.

“The beginning of the crisis in Sudan started because of injustice so we believe that in order for Nigeria to avoid that crisis, there must be Justice for the Southeast,” he said.

Also, Comrade Bello Osaretin, DG, Progressive Leaders Association of Nigeria PLAN-Nigeria commended the Collation for putting up this initiative on the importance of equity.

“It is very important that everyone is put forth in order to have a balanced and more peaceful country,” Osaretin said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

By Naomi Sharang

Forum of former House of Representatives members who are now senators-elect, says the group has not endorsed any candidate for the position of President of Senate.

Convener of the group and Senator-elect, Ahmed Wadada (SDP-Nasarawa West), made this known while briefing newsmen after a meeting with members of the forum in Abuja on Friday.

Wadada, who is to represent Nasarawa-West Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, said that the forum was yet to declare its support for any candidate.

He said there was no discussion whatsoever about anybody’s candidature yet. When we get to the bridge we will cross it,” he said.

He said with the support of his colleagues, he has the privilege of convening the former House of Representatives members that are now senators-elect.

“This is for us to reunite for the good of the country devoid of our different political parties,” he said.

“We are also uniting devoid of the different political parties we belong to and the sentiments talked about.

“We have decided to come together because we had experienced it before.

“I was a member of the House of Representatives in the fifth and sixth Assemblies.

“So we have decided to come together because we constitute a good bloc.

“We are about 26 members of the forum. This gives us a good bloc for us to come together with that sportsmanship we had at different times while in the house of representatives for the development of the country.

“We are getting rejuvenated for the good of Nigeria,” Wadada said.

He listed the likes of Gov. of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal, who is also now a Senator-elect; former member, House of Representatives, Sen. Abdul Ningi, and the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, among members of the forum.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those that attended the meeting included Senate Chief Whip,
Orji Uzor Kalu, Sen. Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa), and other senators-elect: Ned Nwoko; Delta, Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo; Nasarawa South Senatorial District.

Others were Sen. Osita Izunaso (APC-Imo), Sen. Nasir Sani Zangon Daura (APC-Katsina), Sen. Ibrahim Khalid (PDP-Kaduna), Sen. Nwoye Tony (LP-Anambra North), Sen. Emmanuel Udende (APC-Benue) and Sen. Karimi Sunday (APC-Kogi ). (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Vincent Obi

By Angela Atabo

Connected Development (CODE) is to collaborate with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) towards addressing and improving Nigeria’s shrinking civic space for sustainable democracy.

CODE in partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), with support from the OXFAM held a dialogue geared towards analysing the trends and drivers of shrinking civic space under the Digital Media and Communications for Civic Inclusion Project.

The Director-General of NOA,  Garba Abari, said that expanding the civic space was actually not a concern for Nigerian alone but a global issue.

Abari said this therefore, calls for the need to deepen the democratic space.

“You cannot be talking about deepening the civic space without taking in concomitant terms the democratic space and this is of great importance.

“When we are talking about expanding the democratic space , we are talking about the inclusion, however, that does not necessarily mean allowing people to come out and vote during elections after every four years.

“We are talking about inclusion of vulnerable groups, like youths ,women and persons with disabilities.”

Abari said that to achieve such inclusion , there was need to therfore implement the Disabilities Act and political parties needed to be imbibe internal democracy to strengthen participation of women and youths in politics for sustainable democracy.

Also speaking, Mr Hamzat Lawal, Chief Executive  of CODE, noted that the Digital Media and Communications for Civic Inclusion Project was aimed at harnessing the power of the media and civil society to address some of the factors contributing to the shrinkage of the civic space.

“We all know and can agree that the role of civil society is crucial to our democracy, CSOs provides essential services, helps and advocates for victims, monitors human rights and collects evidence of violations to hold powers responsible to account.

“CSOs helps in a way to stabilise and preserve our democracy, but for doing this, civil society comes under attack, and these attacks are coming from different angles. ”

Lawal added that fake news, misinformation, disinformation were undermining Nigeria’s democracy and truncating national unity.

“We have seen in countless ways how disinformation can be used to influence negative and extremist views, a good example is the just concluded elections.

“There are also different attempts to counter fake news and disinformation with fact checking initiatives but fact-checking initiatives are only a first step.”

Lawal however, said that the challenge remained ineffective collaboration of the media and civil society to counter disinformation .

He said that this must include better regulation of the social media and technology industry, developed through participatory processes and including safeguards for freedom of expression.

Contributing, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Mr Tony Ojukwu,SAN, said that the civic space was shrinking in Nigeria due to non-observation of regional and international instruments that guaranteed the protection of the right to freedom.

Ojukwu represented by Mrs Agharese Arase Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, said that censorship and restrictions violate the fundamental rights of citizens to freedom of opinion and expression.

He said that arbitrary arrest ,detention ,politically motivated criminal charges and sedition laws further shrink the civic space .

He said that it was the duty of the media to to avail the society with information on matters of public interest, create platforms for scrutiny, public debate and reflection .

He said that the gains of allowing a free civic space far outweighs any effort at shrinking it because shrinking civic space may lead to undemocratic practices and lack of transparency in governance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was aimed at identifying ways to educate the masses on the role and value of civil society and the civic space.

The roundtable discussion was one of the first steps towards defending and expanding the shrinking civic space in Nigeria by focusing on the reorientation of the masses and building the capacity of key stakeholders.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Naomi Sharang

Coalition of Northern Front, South-West Professionals and Arewa Youth Groups has called on leadership of the All Progressives Congress(APC) to choose a Speaker hopeful with reputation and experience.

Mr Tijjani Abdulmumuni, President Arewa Youth Group, who spoke on behalf of the coalition, said the coalition was in support of a lawmaker from the South-East for the sake of equity.

He, however, said whoever the party would support from the region, should be someone with high moral standard and experience.

“We have watched with keen interest the number of actors contesting the position of the Speaker, especially from the South- East.

“In pursuance of balancing and preservation of Nigeria’s sanctity, we believe the leadership should be zoned to that region.

“However, in doing so, equity, justice and fairness should be applied.

“This is because whoever will possibly emerge speaker from the South-East becomes as much an issue of interest to the country, the APC and the South-East,”he said.

Abdulmumini, further said, whoever will be approved to contest for the position should be able to fit into the “shoes of the present Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.”

According to him, Gbajabiamila has raised the bar of leadership, saying it is important to sustain the tempo.

“Gbajabiamila’s outing has made the choosing of a worthy successor all the more inevitable.

“So, any lowering of the present standard will speak of a relapse and an inexcusable let down for the country and the House.

“Therefore, among the criteria that should guide the House members in the choice they make is their contributions to the success of the party during the last election,”he said.

He further said, “we require not just men of impeccable character but also the best heads to salvage the country.”

“As experienced political players and stakeholders, we are all aware that the National Assembly is the ‘engine room’ of the success of any government.

“Not that alone, we must be reminded that the growth of our democracy owed much to quality of leadership we produce in our parliament.

“A party that fails to get the leadership of the National Assembly right may not witness major development.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza