Global Peace Movement International,UK, has urged the ruling all Progressives Congress (APC), to consider ceding Senate President of the 10th Senate to the south- south geopolitical zone of the country for fairness and equity.
At a press conference in London, the President General, Dr. Mike Uyi, at the end of the GPMI’s tour to 5 countries in Europe said Nigerians in diaspora are of the opinion that the Senate President be zoned to the South-South to allow Sen. Godswill Akpabio bring his experience for the progress of the incoming government. He also cited some qualities of Senator Godswill Akpabio, which stood him out as the best aspirant, should the zoning demand be heeded.
“At present, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is on the cusp of history to demonstrate that equity, inclusivity and justice are the principles on which the party is built as it reaches a decision on zoning of key officers for the 10th National Assembly, especially for the Senate.
“As members of GPMI, we hold the view without equivocation that equity and fairness demand that the South South should produce the next Senate President, he stated.
Uyi said it was call ping on the APC as the majority party in the National Assembly to zone the Office of Senate President to the South-South not just to reflect federal character and support a balanced power sharing formula in the country, but because the South-South Zone has the potential and capacity for the Office.
“There is a sense of alienation and marginalization amongst the people of the Zone by the APC, which though we do not share, but agree as legitimate concern. As a country that just emerged from an electoral process that is benighted by divisive tendencies, history beckons on the ruling party to demonstrate that is inclusive, equitable and responsive to all parts of the country, particularly the South-South.
“As a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious country, it is urgent and imperative that the APC promotes the tenets of Federal Character by zoning the Senate President to the South- South and strengthen the cords of unity and peaceful co-existence amongst our peoples.
“As we stated earlier, our clamour for the Senate President from the South- South is not premised on equity and inclusion alone, but because there is capacity, ability and widespread consensus that Sen. Godswill Akpabio, is suited for the job”, Uyi added.