By Daniel Tyokua
With increasing lobby for the president of the Senate, South – South Youth & Stakeholders’ Forum have explained why they have settled for senator Godswill Akpabio to emerge as the number one person in the red chamber come June 4th.
President of the group and Ogoni youth federation, Mr. Legborsi Yamaabana told Journalists in Abuja, that Senate president should be someone who has good record of performance in a top position prior to now.
He said at the critical phase of democratic transition in Nigeria, only tested and knowledgeable individuals should occupy sensitive positions.
“We believe that, for a society as complex and delicate as ours, to be truly progressive, orderly and stable, a strong representative leadership will be needed. One that will be proactive, knowledge-driven and experience-based, so as to sustain the pursuit of a peoples-centered agenda, as well as guarantee national stability.
“Law-making is a serious business with far-reaching consequences on the people. This is the reason we are calling on the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), the President-Elect, all elected senators, and stakeholders to cede the Senate President position to South/South.
“We are also calling on our dear President-Elect, H.E, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and stakeholders, to look in the direction of H. E, Senator Godswill Akpabio for the office of Senate President, as the leadership of the 10th NASS emerges soon.
“For the sake of inclusion and national integration in mainstream governance, and in line with the spirit and principle of Federal Character, we are appealing to stakeholders to support the South/South, whose last and only shot at the Senate Presidency was in 1979, when Joseph Wayas was elected under President Shehu Shagari.
“We want to assure the President-Elect, that an Akpabio’s Senate Presidency will ensure a healthy and friction-free mutually beneficial relationship between NASS & the Federal Government. That our collectively endorsed candidate, Sen Akpabio is experienced, equipped and a ranking Senator with deep understanding of legislative procedures & processes, clearly shows him as the square personality, for this square responsibility.
“We have also observed with great dismay, that no South/South person is heading any of the federal parastatals like the NNPC, FIRS, EFCC, DPR, etc. We therefore, call on the in-coming President to consider citizens of the South/South for strategic federal appointments for the sake of fairness and equity.
“We are disturbed by the dwindling economy of Nigeria, where the country’s external debt is threatening fiscal stability. We wish to assure Mr. President-Elect that the youths of Niger Delta will continue to play her roles of ensuring conducive environment for economic activities to thrive”
Another member of the forum and Delta state representative, Morgan Ogbenemem said: The people of Niger Delta have been condemned to drinking, bathing and cooking with contaminated water due to lack of clean portable water. Due to the activities of artisanal and environmental pollution by oil multinational, the south/south region is experiencing high spate of acid rain.
“We request the incoming administration to take seriously, the issue of the Ogoni cleanup exercise with a view of consolidating on the gains already recorded under this administration’s vis the Ogoni water and power projects, the specialist hospital and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration.
“In the coming months, we shall present our Charter of Demands to the President elect, the charter of Demands shall include: action on the dilapidated state of the East West Road, Railway line, modular refinery for each state of the South/South, amongst others”
