Ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June, the race has begun for the plum job of presiding officers. In both chambers, some lawmakers-elect have, across party lines, shown interest in the offices of Senate president, Speaker of the House of Representatives, deputy Senate president and deputy Speaker. The positions are expected to be zoned by the majority party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). But some elected lawmakers from the minority parties have also thrown their hats in the ring.
Interested APC lawmakers-elect have begun lobbying their colleagues across party lines before the decision on zoning is taking. Many all of them have even crisscrossed the states to seek the support of governors in order to realise their ambition. Bookmakers believe that the National Assembly requires a leadership that can lead a Parliament of national rebirth. A leadership with extraordinary wisdom and capacity that will complement the executive arm. With President-elect Bola Tinubu’s resolve to couple together a government of national competence, the National Assembly, it is believed must also work along that line to ensure efficiency and harmony in governance.
There are, however, suggestions that the Senate President should be headed by a Southern Christian, while the House of Representatives is headed by a Northern Moslem for equity and fairness. Those canvassing for a Southern Christian Senate President believe that such an arrangement would portray APC as being sensitive to the prevailing mood of the country. It will also give every section and faith a sense of belonging. The
permutations are that the Southeast and South-South will produce Senate President and Deputy Speaker; while the Deputy Senate President and House Speaker will go to North Central and Northwest. .In the event that the Southeast produces Senate President, the Deputy Speaker will automatically go to the South-South and vice versa. Also, the Deputy Senate President and the Speaker posts may be shared between the Northcentral and the Northwest. The Northwest, which gave APC the highest votes of almost two million in the February 25 presidential election, is expected to produce the 10th Assembly Speaker. The essence of these arrangements is to carry all the six geo-political zones along. The Southwest and Northeast have produced the president and vice president. The APC National Working Committee (NWC), it was learnt, wants all the six zones equitably represented in the hierarchy of the legislature. The party’s leadership, sources said, is waiting for the endorsement of these arrangements by the party’s topmost caucus
The leadership of the House of Representatives has always been critical because of its size. It requires a person of enduring capacity, competence and requisite administrative skills. To political watchers, Aminu Sani Jaji, the ranking member representing Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal constituency of Zamfara State, fits the bill. Jaji chaired the Committee on National Security, Intelligence and Public Safety in the 8th Assembly (2015-2019). He sponsored several bills and motions. Among the bills he sponsored were:
•National Security Agencies Act (Amedndment) Bill 2017
•Explosives Act (Amendment) Bill 2017
•Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Centre (Establishment, Etc) Bill, 2017
•Hate Speech (Prohibition) Bill, 2017, and
•Elite Sheriff Office (Estbalishment) Bill, 2018.
His motions included:
•Urgent Need for the Federal Government to address the Devastating Gully Erosion in some communities in Kaura-Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency and, •Need to Address security breakdown, the killing of 36 police officers and incessant killings in Zamfara State.
In these trying times, Jaji’s loyalists believe that he has what it takes to lead the House. He will help the executive in the healing process that the country has to embark upon in the aftermath of the elections which were keenly fought across the country. “The nation is in dire need of an effective legislature that will work with the executive to help in turning the ‘Renewed Hope’ mantra of the incoming President Tinubu into practical terms”, a source said.
The source cautioned members-elect of the minority parties not to upset the apple cart. The majority APC, he said, should be allowed to have its way in the selection of the Speaker and his deputy. “Their idea of contesting the leadership of the House because they feel that they have the number will not augur well for the country and for a productive working relationship devoid of compromise with the executive arm. We need cohesion in the legislature for effectiveness and harmony”, the source said .