10th NASS: North Central Govs, Others Reject APC Zoning

All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders from the North Central, including governors, governors-elect and top lawmakers have rejected the zoning arrangement by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party leaders, who expressed reservation over the zoning arrangement at a meeting in the presidential villa, however agreed to reach out to all major stakeholders for an amicable and acceptable zoning framework that will be all inclusive.

The governors of North Central and aspirants of National Assembly presiding offices from the zone met at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa Abuja yesterday.

APC had zoned the Senate President position (South South, Godswill Akpabio), Deputy Senate President (North West, Senator Jibrin Barau); Speaker (North West, Hon Tajudeen Abbas); Deputy Speaker (South East, Benjamin Kalu).

Even though the APC national chairman Abdullahi Adamu hinted last week that the zoning arrangement would be revisited, after a series of protests by aggrieved aspirants, some party stakeholders have insisted on retention of the zoning arrangement.

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The communique was jointly signed: HE. Abubakar Sani Bello Governor Niger State & Chairman, NC;   HE. Simon Lalong Governor, Plateau State; HE. Abdulrahaman Abdulrazak Governor, Kwara State; HE. Engr Abdullahi Sule, Governor, Nasarawa State.

Others are HE. Yahaya Bello Governor, Kogi State; HE. Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia Governor-elect, (Benue); HE. Rt.Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives (Aspirant); Senator Mohammed Sani Musa Distinguished Senator (Aspirant); Hon. Yusuf Gagdi Honorable Member (Aspirant).

According to the communique, the  meeting resolved as follows:

“That the North Central as a geopolitical zone are fully committed to supporting the incoming administration of the President-Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a better Nigeria. And will do everything possible to ensure the Renewed Hope agenda is actualize for the prosperity of all Nigerians.

“The meeting reviewed the proposed zoning structure released, and promised to reach out to the President-elect His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC National Working Committee to appeal for re-consideration of the zoning of the Presiding offices of the National Assembly as released by the NWC.

“The meeting discussed the zoning as released and raised reservation with the allocation of the Positions of the Deputy Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 10th National Assembly to a particular geopolitical zone of the country.

“That the meeting resolved and agreed to fully utilize all necessary dialogue and consultations to resolving the NASS leadership issue, they all agreed to reach out to all major stakeholders for an amicable and acceptable zoning framework that will be all inclusive.

“The Governors agreed with the aspirants positions and appealed to all Senators and Members-elect to continue to give Mr President-elect all the support needed for the smooth take up of the 10th National Assembly, while also furthering consultations,” the communique said.