Group operating under the aegis of Concern Nigerians for sustainable Democracy from the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory has called on the All Progressives Congress APC and the President elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu to zone the position of the Senate President to the South East part of the country.
TEXT OF WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE READ BY CONCERN NIGERIANS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY FROM ALL THE 36 STATES AND FCT. HELD AT THE NUJ PRESS CENTRE ABUJA ON TUESDAY 04-04-2023 URGING THE APC LEADERSHIP, PRESIDENT-ELECT AND WELL MEANING NIGERIANS TO ZONE THE SENATE PRESIDENT TO THE SOUTH EAST.
Gentlemen of the Press.
It has become necessary that we address a world press conference at a period like this in Nigeria, where by May 29th 2023 history will be made in the country where a new government will be ushered in to mark 24 years of uninterrupted democracy amidst challenges.
It is no longer news in Nigeria that as the world witness digital challenges in its growth Nigeria’s challenges have reached a pronounced enigma in the world where it is seen as one of the nations with high level of instability. During the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan before this present regime the nation witnessed security threats in the North East with the introduction of a terrorist group known as Boko Haram and in the South South the Niger Delta Militants and skirmishes of others in the other four Geo-political Zones ranging from ethnic, religious and secessionists agitations. These the president Buhari led administration promised to put a stop but low and behold while the government made frantic efforts to reduce the menace of Boko haram and the Niger Delta Militant groups, new forms of security threats were introduced and all the six geo- political zones got involved in the worst manner of security threats, these include Herders/Farmers clash, Kidnapping, IPOB, Banditry etc. With the well-meaning intentions of President Buhari to rid the nation from all these vices it became worst that the lives of Nigerians on daily bases were lost in hundreds to these terrorist groups with destruction of properties worth trillions. No nation develops in crises situation hence the underdevelopments being witnessed in the country.
Most of the reasons projected by the leaders of these groups point accusing figures at the nations Leadership who say leaders are corrupt, partial, lack of vision for proper integration and abuse of the rule of law etc.
With the new government to be ushered in by May 29th 2023, the Nigerian Citizen are expecting much from the Tinubu led Government. The challenges on ground are more than those President Buhari met in 2015.
The President Elect Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu have so much in his hands to tackle, these includes the backlog of the security challenges, the Naira re-design and cashless policy, the fuel scarcity, the high level of unemployment, education deficit, infrastructural developments, medical services and so forth.
Presently as we face the transition there are negative agitations to truncate the will of the people where Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been voted by the majority votes to lead the nation yet other antidemocratic elements are calling for and interim Government, military coup and a call to stop the swearing in come May 29th 2023. We are calling on all well meaning Nigerians to rise against these elements of anti-democracy and ensure that Democracy thrives and a smooth transition to swear in the President-Elect Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take over in order to minimize the myriad of problems facing the country.
The most serious arm of Government after the Executive arm is the Legislative arm. This conference is to address the nation on where leadership of this very important arm especially the Senate President will be zoned to for stability, sustainable democracy and for total integration.
In the first place, the moslem-moslem ticket that almost cost the APC the success at the polls has come and gone and Nigeria now has the number 1 and 2 both as moslems if the nation is to stand those agitating for the Senate President form the North West should step down for the sake of democracy and inclusiveness as all the likely contestants from the North West are moslems. The political crises this attempt will cause may consume the nation. If the APC truly want to rule for 16 years and even more this balance is not negotiable, it must be taken seriously and be conceded to a Christian from the South East.
ARGUMENT IN FAVOUR OF SOUTH EAST/SOUTH-SOUTH
GEO-POLITAL ZONE
TODAY:
South-East has two APC governors (Imo and Ebonyi) and one APC Governor-elect of Ebonyi.
South-South has one APC Governor (Cross-River State) and one Governor Elect in same Cross River State
South-East has produced six APC Senators-Elect in 2023 election from five states.
While, South-South has six APC Senators-Elect in 2023 from six States.
From 1999 till date, South-South has produced Vice-president and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the person of President Goodluck Jonathan, none from South-East
South-South has produced two APC National Chairmen in the persons of Chief John Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole, none from South-East
South South have produced also the National Secretary of APC in the person of Senator John Akpan Udodeghe.
South South have produced Senate Majority Leader in the person of Senator Victor Ndoma Egba
Currently, South-South has the deputy Senate President, HE Ovie Omeagege.
South-East only produced Senate President from 1999 under President Olusegun Obasanjo and nothing more till date.
Since then, South-East has not produced any other top leadership under APC.
Presently, there is need to dilute the Peter Obi Phenomenon in the South-East.
The need to give South-East a sense of belonging since 2015 till date under APC.-
Need to douse the IPOB/ESN and general insecurity in the South-East.
South-East is in the majority in terms of population spread across the federation against the South-South.
Our position is to strengthen democracy, reduce political tension, reduce security threats and keep Nigeria one.
We are not mindful of the fact that democracy is a game of number but we are equally mindful that Nigeria is a cosmopolitan and a multi religious state that needs special handling in the spirit of keeping the Nigerian state one.
This world press conference desires all attentions and with all seriousness to avoid avoidable crises.
Signed: Dr. Amos Gizo
Convener/Coordinator
