Abdurrahman Muhammad Adam
Senator-elect Honorable Sulieman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila ,representing Kano south Senatorial district, stand chances to be part the 10th senate leadership based on his record in legislation, executive/legislature relation, expertise and experience in public service.
Honorable Kawu has not only been a member of house of reps for three consecutive times, but also, part of the leadership in the 6th and 7th Assembly, his Years of representation was that of no regret to his constituency and Nigeria at large
The tradition of the National Assembly after inauguration is that the party with highest number of lawmakers elect takes the majority, these, without doubt makes the party produce the Senate President or Speaker as the case may be.
The 2023 general election was unique in it own way, and it was an independent battles for virtually all candidates aspiring for public offices, therefore politicians dot not take the advantage of their master or principals to win elections as it was done before, electorate therefore vote irrespective of party or Godfathers popularity, at least our democracy is getting advancement.
After the majority has taken their position, all other parties no matter their numbers become minorities in that parliament and its left for them to work out for their right to avoid been victimized or marginalised.
Minorities make the Senate leadership by providing a strong minority leader and his deputy and any other leadership position such as the minority whip or deputy minority whip as the conditions may warrant.
PDP with second largest number of Senators also stand chance to produce deputy Senate President if they play the game pretty well
Minority leader is elected from the second largest party in Parliament. A deputy minority leader and a chief whip assist him, constituting the minority leadership of Parliament
The minority leader develops the minority position, negotiates with the majority party, directs minority caucus activities on the floor, directs floor activity for the minority party, leads floor debate for the minority party. Strong and vibrant Leadership is a key ingredient to a successful minority Legislature.
Since the ruling party consider all parties that do not constitutes the majority as minorities, then it will be paramount for minorities to provide minority leadership based on ranking, abilities, passion and qualities to deliver the required and expected minority representation
Honorable Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila is imminently qualified to take the position of minority leader or deputy, minority whip or deputy based of the consideration that;
From all the opposition senators elect, his ranking supersedes many senator from the minorities, with exception of Senator Abdul Ningi. The region of which Ningi comes from produces the vice president and most likely to produce the speaker of House of representative, the labour party with six senate seat, most of them are first timers and not ranking senators
Honorable Kawu liaison between the executive and legislature (2015-2019) had been an astonishing landmark, looking at the cold and open war between the presidency and the leadership of both chambers, Kawu’s role in harmonising peaceful relation, democratic consolidations and sustainability are unprecedented. It hard to believe in a democracy that; After setting off a government, A president and senate president could not met, until the intervention of a liaison was put in place.
Honorable Kawu Sumaila has been a pillar that emancipate and champion in the course of the victimization to his colleagues parliamentarian, constituents and by extension to the downtrodden
He’s a politician of great virtues with high political skills to deliver on the entrusted mandates, he does not only hold Phd in theory but also in field and practice of Political science.
We believe that if Honorable Kawu makes it to committee of selection, he will provide the much needed minority representation and initiate an inclusive legislation for the betterment of all opposition parties.
Abdurrahman Muhammad is a political analyst
