As Nigeria’s 10th senate is set to begin in the first week of June, senators-elect across the nation have been making arrangements on who will take over as the President of the Senate. However, the process has been met with some controversy due to the country’s heterogeneous nature, which requires the participation and inclusiveness of every tribe and religion in the administration of the nation.
To lead the Senate and by extension, head the National Assembly, requires a parliamentarian with huge legislative expertise, adequate knowledge in the law-making process, executive/legislative relations, constitutional amendment process, bill enactment and passage, eloquence, communication skills, and above all, good interpersonal relationships. It is for this reason that the Senate Standing Order stipulates that senators who will contest the position of presiding officer shall be those who have been re-elected based on the number of times they have served.
So far, four senators-elect have shown interest in the position of Senate President: Senator Barau Jibrin, Abdul Aziz Yari, both from the North West region, Godswill Akpabio from the South South region, and Orji Uzor Kalu from the South East. However, the eligibility and competence of the four contestants must be evaluated based on their records of performances in legislation and public service.
Abdulaziz Yari, a former member of the House of Representatives and former Governor of Zamfara state for eight years, did not make a significant impact during his stay in the House. His eight-year tenure as Governor was characterized as a regime of tyranny with a lack of harmonious relationship between the government and the governed. He lacks the adequate knowledge to preside over the affairs of people that come from well-educated and intellectual backgrounds
Barau Jibrin, on the other hand, is a former member of the House of Representatives, a senator in the 8th and 9th Assemblies, and a senator-elect for the 10th Assembly. He is a graduate of accountancy and a professional in business and financial management. As a ranking senator, he has numerous sponsored bills, and his bravery and eloquence in the floor of the Senate are unprecedented. He is described by his constituents as a warrior and a philanthropist, and his record shows that he can handle the National Assembly matters and provide much-needed inclusive legislation.
Godwill Akpabio, a two-term Governor of Akwa Ibom, a one-term Senator of the Federal Republic, and former Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, is a lawyer by profession. During his first tenure as senator, he was privileged to be part of the 8th Senate leadership, and he gave the much-needed minority representation. As a politician that traversed all three tiers of government, it is expected that he can pilot the affairs of the Senate credibly.
Orji Uzor Kalu, a two-term Governor of Abia State and returning senator, is the incumbent Senate Minority Whip. He played an active role in the emergence of Chief Bola Tinubu and made a lot of noise in support of a same-faith ticket. He is a graduate of political science with good communication skills and is well acquainted with the votes and proceedings of the Senate. His politics has proven to be non-religious and non-tribalistic, considering how the whole South East supported and backed one of their very own sons in the presidential election. He deserves support for the fulfillment of his ambition.
To ensure justice and fairness as enshrined in the Federal Character principles, Sen Barau and Abdulaziz should jettison their ambitions to avoid the duplication and marginalization of power-sharing. The incoming President, who is a master strategist, should not allow this to happenAlthough the Senate elects its leader, it is crucial for the senators to choose a leader based on principles of justice, expertise, and fairness between the two geopolitical zones of the South-South and South-East respectively. The task of filling the void left by the likes of David Mark, Bukola Saraki, and now Ahmed Lawan is highly challenging. These three former Senate Presidents presided over the Senate with a great deal of diligence, maturity, and stability, and it is essential to have successors who will continue to uphold their legacy of distinguished parliamentary practice, preservation of democratic culture, and consolidation of democracy.
As the responsibility of electing their leader lies solely on the senators, Nigerians await to see if we will have another rubber-stamp Senate. It is imperative for the Senate to assert its independence and maintain checks and balances against the Executive arm of government to ensure that democracy thrives in Nigeria.
Abdulrahman Joji Writes from Kano
