AS the leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, plans to meet to take final decision on the zoning of offices among the six geo-political zones, the North Central caucus of the party has asked the party to zone the position of the Senate presidency to the zone.
Meanwhile, the contest for the position of Senate Leader in which the North-West, that had produced the highest number of Senators, seems to be considered by APC, looks narrowed down to between the former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmed Sani fondly known as Yerima, and Senator Kabiru Gaya.
The APC caucus in the North Central, in a communique by the Zonal Chairman the party, Mr. Zakari Ede, and the six states chairmen in region, said it was clear that APC will form the majority in the forthcoming eight Assembly based on the results of the general elections.
Their demand, as stated, was hinged on the fact that the zone performed well in the election by giving adequate support to the party, adding that ceding the seat of Senate President to it will be a reward for their performance.
Insisting that the success in the North Central, being a vulnerable zone, should not be taken for granted, they said it would only be just and equitable for the position of the Senate President to be allotted to the North Central.
The communique read: “Following our party’s overwhelming victory at the National Assembly polls, it is clear that our party will form the majority in the forthcoming eight Assembly.
“We need to emphasize here that North Central is a vulnerable zone and our success and victory should not be taken for granted.
“On the basis of the above reasoning, we therefore came to the conclusion and we humbly wish ýto state that, it would only be just and equitable for the position of the Senate President to be allotted to the North Central Zone and we hereby demand for same.”
Meanwhile, ranking Senators from the North-West geo-political zone have commenced consultations and lobby for the post of Senate Leader, which sources from APC said will likely be zoned to the area.
However, Senator Ahmed Sani appears to be favoured, among other Senators from the zone, which has produced the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd).
Of the 20 Senators from the North-West, eight are ranking, having been elected more than twice, while some are coming from the House of Representatives, where they are also considered as ranking members in the chamber.
With the ranking rule, which gives preference to Senators who have been elected more than once into the chamber, top contenders for the Senate Leader position are Senators Sani, Marafa, Gaya and Adamu Aliero.
However, it was gathered that in addition to the ranking rule, having been elected into the Senate three times in a row, Senator Sani appears to have the most legislative experience from the zone.
Even as ranking Senators from the North-Central and North-East battle over the senate presiding officers’ positions, some of the new Senators have started making moves to scuttle the issue of ranking in the composition of the Senate leadership of the eight Senate.
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