From = Everest Ezihe, Owerri

 As a strategic measure of enthroning government of national unity and political cushion marginalization, Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA),  together with political and Civil Society Organisations in the South East like the South East liberation Front, South East Political Agenda, Organization of Equity for South East and South East Professionals in Politics have advised the leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC to zone the position of the Senate President of the 10th Senate to the south East zone.

The groups stated this in  joint press statement they issued in Owerri and signed by the leaders of the various groups as they reiterated that zoning the position of the next Senate President to the South East will address the issue of exclusion of the Igbo ethnic nationality at the centre.

The national President of the Orlu Political Consultative Assembly,  Hon. Rex Anunobi, said that the APC had to look for somebody who had no case with Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC from the South East zone to make the next President of the Senate.

He specially made case for the Senator- elect for Imo west,, Senator Osita Izunaso as the best belt for the next Senate Presidency position.

According to him,  ” we met and particular interest was taken about the constitution of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly especially the position of the Senate President.

“It is therefore unanimously agreed that the position  of Senate President should be zoned to the South East in order to ensure  ethnic balancing, inclusiveness and to address the manifest marginalization of the zone.   

“It is the considered opinion of  OPOCA and other CSOs in the zone  that Senator Osita Izunaso, the Senator-elect for Imo West is the best suited for the position of Senate President for the following reasons:-

”  Izunaso is most ranking among all the other Senators from the zone having been a member of the House of Representative in this current democratic dispensation that started in 1999 not during the military regime. He is also a former Senator.

“In addition to his legislative  experiences, the Senator is the only one who has served the rulling party as a pioneer National Organizing Secretary of APC. Thus, he understands the policy thrust of the Party and as Senate President, he  knows the policy direction of the Party.

“Sen Izunaso has no baggage. He has no case with  EFCC or  with any  of the anti graft agencies. The Party does not need any politically exposed person with image crisis as Senate President which the opposition will use against the Party.

“ Izunaso is very humble, reachable, sociable and politically savvy. These attributes  will help to stabilize the polity and the National Assembly particularly the Senate. This is the kind of personality that APC as a  party and our country needs in order to avert the 8th Assembly scenario. 

” All through Sen Izunaso’s public service stint, he was above board in his responsibilities and never been identified with any untoward  conduct or corrupt dealings. 

“Consequent upon these, OPOCA and its South East CSO Affiliate bodies hereby call on the President-Elect and the National  leadership of APC to heed to this our  patriotic and sincere call to zone the Senate President to South East and to also consider Senator Osita Izunaso for the position of Senate President.”

They patriotically expressed their desire for both the APC as a party and the Senate as a Body, to look out for a person with competence, character and unblemished national outlook and record to pilot the affairs of the Red Chamber in the 10th Assembly, and such qualities  they insisted can be found in Izunaso.