The former Leader of the Senate, and Senator representing Borno South Senatorial district, Ali Ndume, has revealed that he is ready to contest the Senate Presidency seat in the 10th National Assembly.
The 10th Assembly Senate will be inaugurated in June 2023, a month after the swearing-in of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on May, 29.
Ndume, who disclosed his intention to contest for Senate President in a statement, on Wednesday stating that his ambition would be determined by the fairness of the zoning arrangements that would be put in place by the All Progressives Congress leadership.
He said,
“Subject to the position of the party (APC), and the fairness of such arrangements, I intend to throw my hat for the race for Senate Presidency because of my experience.”
Ndume who contested the Senate Presidency seat with the incumbent president of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan in 2019, wondered why the APC was insisting on zoning arrangements for the National Assembly positions when it didn’t do the same during the presidential primaries.
He said,
“The APC leadership did not take any position during the presidential primary election. Aspirants from all geopolitical zones participated in the exercise.
“Senators should be allowed to choose a competent person among them that has adequate legislative and managerial experiences to lead the Senate.
“Zoning may not lead to the emergence of the best person for the job that is why the decision to choose the Senate presiding officers must be the sole responsibility of the senators.”
He promised to prioritize Nigeria and Nigeria’s interests if elected even as he said the issue of political inclusion and power devolution would be paramount in his Agenda.
As the Senate President, he pledged he would “be one, not first among equals” and promised to work in unity and inter-dependently with the executive arm of government.
Ndume also said the relationship between the legislature and the judiciary would be cordial without undermining the principles of Separation of Power.
He said,
“We would amend and review existing tax laws to generate more income, block leakages and ensure transparency through open accountability with the full participation of all senators.
“We will protect and improve the welfare, rights, and privileges of National Assembly workers.
“We will inculcate es-spirit de-corps in order to utilize the experiences of former members by engaging them as consultants to members and Committees in order to tap from their experiences.
“We will set a timeline for confirmations, and passage of Bills especially budgets and executive requests.
“The Constituency Development Bill will be passed to ensure transparency, equity, fairness, efficiency, and effectiveness of Constituency Projects”.
Prominent individuals who have shown interest in being president of the 10th Senate include Senators-elect Ali Ndume (Borno South), Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Orji Uzoh Kalu (Abia), Jibrin Barau (Kano) and Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger), among others.
