Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the former chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has said that the offices of the House of Representatives Speakership and the Senate President should be occupied by a Christian Northerner and a Christian South-Easterner respectively.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, the former member of Senate emphasized, after reading out from the constitution, that the governing of Nigeria should be inclusive of people of different zones, ethnicities, and religions in Nigeria, so as to bring a balance between the diverse people. He then brought out instances in history that reflected how the zonal region and religion of past presidents determined the people who were put in the house of representative speaker and senate offices. He claimed not to have a political preference, saying that he just wanted the due process followed in order to bring about balance.
Further explaining his opinion on the balancing out of the geographic zone and religion on those in power, Ndoma-Egba said, “I believe that the speakership of the house of representatives should go to the north, but it should go to a northern Christian, because we have a president and a vice president who are Muslims. So, in the interest of justice, we should just leave the legislature to the Christians just to balance. But for the senate president, I am very clear in my mind that it should go to the south-east.” He said that this will bring about justice and fairness, as it will ensure that the geographical zones were well represented.
However, when he was asked why he was advocating for the South-East zone for Senate President rather than the South-South zone where he hails from, he said, “I have based my argument on history and precedents, it is not personal. Maybe when we get a president from the South-East, the Ss will produce the senate president, but from what we have heard so far, history, precedents, equity and fairness are on the side of the south-east.”
Concerning the elections, he said, “I was only at one location, so I can only speak for that location…. Anywhere else will be hearsay,” but speaking for his location, he said it was peaceful and smooth process.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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