An All Progressives Congress (APC) group, under the auspices of APC Equity and Justice Forum, has rejected the zoning arrangement released by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.
Reading from a prepared address at a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, the group called on the party’s leadership, President and vice-president-elect, and party faithful to bring out a zoning formula that is all inclusive, fair and just to all regions of the country.
Chairman and Secretary of the group, Nuhu Ayuba Shikdima and Ahmadu Babanrabi respectively, warned that; “the prevailing circumstances in the country calls for careful distribution of positions of governance for ballance and equal representation.
“APC needs nothing but due diligence and consideration in how it goes about with the sharing formula of position for equity and justice to prevail. What was a rumour and was seen as figment of the imagination of some few individuals has now become a reality when it was said that the position of the Speakership of the 10th Assembly of House of Representative is zone to North West geopolitical zone and micro-zoned to an individual in addition to the same zone taking the slot of the Deputy Senate President.
“It suffice to say therefore that in zoning position of governance, certain parameters must be put into consideration; and these parameters are justice, equity and fairness to all which are cardinal principles that APC is anchored on. It will be unheard off to Nigerians to hear and confirm that the Speakership position and Deputy Senate seats respectively have been zone to one geopolitical zone of Northwest region in total disregard and consideration of the people of North Central zone,” the group lamented.
Reacting furtber, the group noted that; “North Central states have played vital and key roles in the victory of APC recorded in the 2023 National elections. The zone has always played the key role of stabilising our nascent democracy because of its belief in the Nigerian project. The North Central deserves and demand the zoning of the Speaker House of Representatives to be zoned to it for perfect inclusion in the scheme of affairs of governance in this coming dispensation.
“Particularly that Northwest zone has at several instances had a stint of the leadership position of the House of Representatives in four instances ranging from, Salisu Buhari, Ghali Na’aba, Bello Masari and lastly Aminu Tambuwal for a period of 12 years in the last twenty four years of what is always said to be our nascent democracy in Nigeria. The North Central zone has not at any given time produced the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives,” the group protested.
Making requests, the group noted; “Our passionate appeals to our dear party chairman, President and vice president-elect respectively to use their God given status in our nation and party to look inwards with retrospect and consider our plight as a people of North Central Zone for the Speakership of the Green Chambers of the National Assembly.
“We are a people that are always poised in upholding the tenets of unity, progress and development of our great Party the APC and the Nigerian State at any given chance.
“In conclusion, whatever sentiment that might have triggered the position of the NWC in having to perfect what seems to be a purported rumor to fruition should be set aside so that justice should be seen to be done.
“The Nigeria state belongs to all of us and we all have equal stake and so the needful should be done to avoid the Saraki and Dogara episodes from reoccurring,” the group warned.