How do you see the race for the Senate Presidency?
It is an interesting race. So far we know about five aspirants are in the race. We have Godswill Akpabio, Orji Uzor Kalu, Abdulazeez Yari, Osita Izunaso and Sani Musa respectively. But like i have always said the North or other contiguous geo – political zones should not even be in contention. Currently both the President and Vice President- elect are Muslims, the chief justice of the federation is a Muslim, the man designated to be speaker of the house of representatives, Tajudeen Abbas is also a Muslim. So the imperative now is for a Christian from the south, particularly Southeast or South South succeed to the Senate Presidency for balance in the polity. We know our country is at a threshold, with the inauguration of the new administration of the renewed hope agenda. We know of the burden of responsibility and decision and the intrigues surrounding the choices. Thus so far the major contenders in that regards are Senator Godswill Akpabio, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Senator – Elect Osita Izunaso, who fit the profile required to give geo – political and religious balance to this new dispensation. While others from other geo – political zones, have refused to back down, their positions however seems weak as the party’s hierarchy does not posses the moral strength or high ground to support them.
How would you rate the three major contenders in terms of integrity?
Thank you for this question. Integrity requisite for the next Senate president has been on the front burner for some time now, especially with the agitations in certain quarters that the 10th National Assembly should not be a rubber stamp one. That it should be headed by men with the right reputation necessary to instil and restore public trust in this most hollowed of governmental institutions. We are entering another political dispensation anchored on the mantra of renewed hope and the expectations of the people are much. The people are demanding a system that is transparent, responsible and efficacious, as such it should be headed by a tested and trusted personality, particularly the office of the Senate president. Little wonder why the party annointed candidate for the office, Godswill Akpabio is finding it difficult to muster the required majority and consensus to secure the position. One does not have to look far to see that both Akpabio, who is the former minister of Niger Delta affairs and Orji Uzor Kalu who is the chief whip of the 9th National Assembly are individuals who have in one way or the other been indicted by the leading anti – graft body, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). We know of Akpabio’s infamous gaffe before the house of representatives in 2020, and also his alleged attempt to bribe the EFCC boss in 2021. We also know of how Senator Orji Kalu was sent to jail for alleged embezzlement, before the decision was later upturned.
So so far, integrity wise not all the contenders for the Senate presidency can scale the hurdle. It is really a difficult position for we in the party. Our scrutiny and oversight shows that the Senator – elect from Imo West and the one from Niger state, Senator Sani Musa seem to posses an unblemished record. So the party is in a difficult position and it would have to make hard choices if it is to maintain the trust of Nigerians and give a clean slate to the new administration. But negotiations and horse tradings are still ongoing but from the outcome we would know the kind of National Assembly to expect.
How would you adjudge the capacity of the top contenders?
The various contenders for the office of the president are individuals and personalities that have held notable positions before now, in one form or the other, and therefore can be said to posses the capacities to manage people, resources and institutions. We know Akpabio was a former governor of Akwa Ibom state and his known for his giant and uncommon strides while he served as chief executive, but ever since then his achievement has been checkered. His management of the ministry of Niger Delta affairs and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has left much to be desired, we know the controversies that has gripped those institutions and agencies under his reign, and the opposition he came to face until his eventual resignation as minister. Senator Kalu’s capacity has also been going up and down, as governor he was known to have made remarkable feats n the administration of Abia state, even succeeding maintaining his influence after decamping from his erstwhile party, the PDP. But since coming to national reckoning not much of that capacity has been seen, he has struggled to remain relevant in the scheme of things but he also succeeded in becoming the Chief whip of the Senate. Senator Osita Izunaso on his part, seems to be the only one of the leading contenders who has continued to maintain and even improve on his capacity, even earning the appellate, the white diamond among close friends and associates. He was first elected into House of Representatives in 2003 and elected into the Senate in 2007. In the Red Chamber, he served as Chairman of Committees and member of others; ranging from Rules and Business, Local and Foreign Debts, Housing, Gas, Foreign Affairs and Sports Development, sponsoring many bills in the process.
Amid the agitation for a rezoning of the national assembly leadership or for the party to leave the choice open, how do you see their contribution to the party and do you think it would make a difference on the eventual decision?
No doubt the trio leading the race for the Senate Presidency are all loyal party men who have contributed in one way or the other to the fortune and development of the party. Orji Kalu was one of the first senators and prominent personalities to defect to the APC in the south east and played a prominent role in the party’s 2019 general election struggle in the region. However, in 2023 general election he was found lacking and locked in controversy. In his home state of Abia, he allegedly refused to support the party’s Governorship candidate, Ikechi Emenike, even revealing that he cannot endorse another person when his brother, Mascot Uzor-Kalu of the Action Peoples Party (APP), is contesting in the election. It is also widely known that he did not give full support to the APC presidential campaign, maybe out of fear of backlash. Akpabio on his part, can be said to have contributed greatly to the party since his defection to the platform. We see the role he played at the presidential primary, little wonder why he may have been annointed or preferred by some in the party for this highly coveted position. But is contribution did not translate to any spectacular outcome for the party in the south south geo – political region. Similarly, the Imo West Senator-elect, Izunaso has paid his dues in the APC.. He was in the merger committee that midwived APC and became the founding National Organising Secretary, a position he held for about five years. As the Organising Secretary, he managed the 2014 National Convention of the party that produced President Muhammadu Buhari as the presidential candidate of APC, which has been adjudged as one of the most transparent party primary in the history of Nigeria. Izunaso has also continued to maintain his relevance in the party leading to his re-election to the Senate. I think these considerations would weigh heavy on the minds of the electing senators and party members in the ultimate and final decision on who becomes the Senate president.
Where would you place your bet in these whole scenario?
I am a loyal party man and i am heavily invested in the fortunes of the APC, i believe we should open a new page in the way we do things in line with the renewed hope agenda of this new administration. While the south east or even the South South deserves to produce the Senate president, i believe the Senate elect for Imo west, who is a high ranking law maker and a man of unblemished integrity, and a fresh face should mount the podium. We know his antecedent and capacity, he has been tested and trusted and support for him has been growing exponentially. So Senator Izunaso seems like the man of the moment, we see the polls are favourably on his side, while being critical of both Akpabio and Kalu. So we are waiting and watching to see what the party hierarchy would do to save the situation and protect, restore the integrity and capacity of this most hallowed chamber. I think the decision on the preferred candidate will be upturned and the choice will be left at the conscience of each individual senator elect to decide.
