The recent uproar surrounding the zoning of leadership positions in the 10th National Assembly is unwarranted, considering the importance of unity and success in the upcoming administration.
If the protests stem from a desire for equity and fairness, then the APC’s decision to allocate the positions of Senate President to the South-South, Deputy Senate President to the North West, Speaker of the House of Representatives to the North West, and Deputy Speaker to the South East is justified.
While it is customary for each of the six geopolitical zones in the country to hold prominent positions in the executive and legislative branches of government, the current circumstances call for a deeper understanding due to their uniqueness.
Commitment to the national cause should be measured not solely by the allocation of political offices but by the willingness to make sacrifices for the betterment of the country.
The North Central’s contention that it has been sidelined is premature and lacks substantial evidence, especially considering that the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu has yet to be inaugurated.
The call for a review of the zoning by the North Central governors on Monday would have been unnecessary if they had waited to see what Asiwaju has planned for the zone.
Moreover, the North Central has already benefited from the APC’s zoning arrangement by being allocated the position of national chairman of the party in 2022. The other zones respected this decision and did not present candidates to contest against it, despite the presence of party leaders from the North Central who desired to run.
This sacrifice made by other zones demonstrates their commitment to the unity of the country and the growth of the APC, from which the North Central has benefited.
In previous instances, other zones have also made similar sacrifices for the sake of harmony and the nation’s best interests.
For example, in the 7th Assembly, it was agreed that the South West should hold the position of Speaker. However, in support of the North West’s progressive efforts, the South West made the sacrifice, and Aminu Tambuwal from the North West was returned as Speaker, even though the North West already had the vice presidency with Namadi Sambo.
During that period, while the South-South had the presidency with Goodluck Jonathan, the North West had the vice presidency, the North Central had the Senate President, the South East had the Deputy Senate President, and the North West took the position of Speaker, with the South East as Deputy Speaker.
The South West and North East were not included in the top positions of the executive and legislative arms of government during that time, but they understood the need for sacrifices in the interest of the country.
Similarly, in the current dispensation, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, both hail from the South West.
Considering the current configuration, the North West has the presidency with President Muhammadu Buhari, the South West has the Vice President, the North East has the Senate President, the South-South has the Deputy Senate President, the South West has the Speaker, and the North Central has the Deputy Speaker.
This leaves the South East without any of the top positions, but the region has remained calm, understanding the need for sacrifices on behalf of the nation.
The decision to allocate both the Senate President and Speaker positions to the North West is based on the understanding that, without the party’s intervention, the North West, given its contribution to the APC’s success, could have dominated the Senate Presidency. However, this would not be favorable for the religious configuration of the next administration.
After persuading the North West to step down for the sake of national cohesion, it would be unwise not to compensate the zone.
Having the Deputy Senate President and the Speaker does not come close, in terms of influence, to having the Vice President and Speaker from the same zone, as is the case with the South West in the current dispensation under President Muhammadu Buhari.
Since other zones have made sacrifices for the unity and cohesion of Nigeria, the North Central should understand that now is the time to make similar gestures for the development of the country.
The 2023 zoning arrangement is not absurd or biased, as claimed by the North Central governors and senators. In the end, all the zones will be adequately represented, and the North Central region is likely to receive key appointments in the next administration.
