Nation Building, Capacity, Character Basis For Electing Senate President, Not Ranking – Barr Uchenna Orji

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barr. Uchenna Orji yesterday urged the Senators Elect in the 10th Assembly to lay emphasis on nation building, capability and character in electing a Senate President and not based on ranking.

Barr. Orji in a statement signed by him and made available to LEADERSHIP Weekend said that these three attributes should be put in the front burner in ensuring that such individual will lead the Senate to achieve the aspirations of the Nigerian people. 

He maintained that the  Senate members are known to be distinguished representatives of the people who must emphasise the virtue of mental and moral character (not ranking) as a yardstick for who is to be elected President of the Senate.

“Much has been said about Ranking in the Senate as if it is a condition precedent for being a Senate President. This sentiment has shrinked the thought of legal minds and suppressed the pre- eminence and considerations of the rule of the  constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on who qualifies to be elected as Senate President of Nigeria’s Senate.

Barr.  Orji noted that under the constitution, the eligibility for being a Senate President is clear. “By Section 50 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) every member of the Senate who has taken oath of membership is eligible to be voted for as Senate President. Ranking is not given any iota of pre-eminence.

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“Order 3 of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as Amended has three categories of people that can be elected as President of the Senate of Nigeria. A first timer is clearly empowered by Order 3 to contest for Senate Presidency alongside ranking members and those who came from the Federal House of Representatives.

“Essentially what determines the pendulum is  the mindset of the Party in Majority, in this case the APC, the interest of the majority of the Distinguished Senators and the prominence of power play between the ranking Senators and the first  timers. 

The Information Commissioner noted that the first timers are greater in number under the 10th Senate adding that “No rule says that Ranking members will determine who is elected as President of the Senate. All the inaugurated Senators have equal voting rights. The Ranking Senators have no extra- influence or right of first refusal in who becomes the Senate President.

He stated that in the 10th Senate, “Nigerians want a Senate Presidency that will be vibrant, that will balance the national Political equilibrium and Geopolitical tripod. South East deserves the fullest consideration in this regard. 

“In Zoning considerations, South East is one of  the three major parts of the tripod. In the history of Nigeria’s independence, leadership of this Nation has always stood on the tripod of East, West and North. This is fair and equitable.

“In settling for South East, the Party in power and the  Distinguished Senators who are electing the Senate President should look at pedigree not Ranking; they should look at those who have served with proven records of probity and accountability. They should make performance and leadershjp experience count and not the number of tenures spent by a ranking Senator.

“Umahi has indebt knowledge of the workings of the Legislature as well as intergovernmental relations. He will provide legislative ingenuity that will solve the lingering security challenges in the Country. As a man with private sector experience, he will provide legislative support that will  liberalize economic development in Nigeria and transform the future of this country.

“Going forward in our renewed hope for a prosperous Nigeria, David Nweze Umahi is the best choice for the President of the 10th Senate.”