Director-General, Arewa Summit International, Dr. Bashir Lamido has argued that the ruling party , All Progressives Congress(APC) will secure enough votes in the South Eastern region for the victory of Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
This is even as he recommended zoning arrangement for the National Assembly Principal offices and other top executive positions at national level.
Speaking at a Leadership forum organized by Tinubu/Shettima Support Group and held in Abuja on Saturday , the erudite scholar noted that for APC to win the next general election, the party must be firm in making its plans for all regions known before the election.
He argued that lack of sense of belonging to other regions has been the issue in Nigeria, adding that Tinubu/Shettima ticket will emerge with landslide if they shun nepotism and carry all regions along.
“Against the backdrop that the South East will not give the party votes, I can confidently tell you that the votes from the South East is what will cement the party’s victory. We should not believe the propaganda that South East won’t vote for APC. It’s all lies aimed at discouraging our candidates.
“We have people like Orji Uzor Kalu and Dave Umahi who are on ground, committed to the party and understand the local politics . Their people will vote for them and vote for the party. We also have Hope Uzodinma and a couple of other committed party members in the South East. They will surely deliver the party.” He said
Speaking further, Lamido said that since the South West will produce the President and North East the Vice President, other positions should be shared to other zones ahead of the election.
The Senate Presidency should be given to the South-East, while the North-West should go for the Speakership slot.
Lamido advised that the arrangement will help to win elections for Tinubu and the APC
Others are Deputy Senate President—North Central,
Deputy Speaker—-South South, Senate Leader—North East, House Leader—South East,
Deputy Leader Senate-South South,
Deputy Leader House —North West,
Senate Chief Whip —-South West,
Chief Whip House —South South.
Lamido explained that the arrangement is to mirror what the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the ruling party in 1999 presented as a governance outlook with Olusegun Obasanjo from the South-West as president. His deputy then, Atiku Abubakar, is from Adamawa in North-East.
According to him, late Evan Enwerem, the first Senate President, was from the South East. The disgraced first Speaker, Salisu Buhari, is from Kano, North-West.
“Though Enwerem and Buhari were booted out of office for forgery, the slots remained in the two zones for the eight years Obasanjo and SouthWest kept the presidency.” Dr Lamido said
