SEN. ALI NDUME DECLARES FOR SENATE PRESIDENT’S SEAT, UNVEILS 10-POINT AGENDA.
Written by AIGBOKHAEBHO OKHUELEIGBE on April 5, 2023
Former Senate Leader and Senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has declared his interest to contest for the office of the Senate President in the 10th National Assembly.
Speaking with Journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Ndume, while unveiling a ten- point agenda for the 10th Senate as the President, however admonished the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC against zoning the position of the President of the Senate, saying that the Senators should be allowed to decide for themselves.
It is however not the first time the Senator will be vying for the position of Senate President, after a failed trial the last time out at the beginning of the 9th Senate Assembly. Ndume who is presently the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, advised the APC and Stakeholders that zoning will not be good for them, just as he stressed that he was contesting for the position of President of the Senate subject to the party and subject to the fairness of the position.
The Senator hinted that as President of the Senate, he would put Nigeria and Nigerian interest first, saying that the 9th Senate did not put Nigeria first, but President Muhammadu Buhari first, adding that political inclusion and Power devolution would form part of the major areas of discourse in the 10th Senate. He said, his 10 point agenda for the 10th Senate are “Put Nigeria and Nigerian interest first. He said:
The Senate President should be one not first among equals. Work harmoniously and interdependently with the executive and the Judicial Arms of Government without undermining the principles of Separation of Power; make new laws and review existing ones to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. Especially, A. Security and welfare of Citizens, B. Job Creation, C. Economic and Infrastructural Development, D. Fight against Corruption, G. Education, H. Political inclusion/ Power devolution, E. Business and Entrepreneurship development, and F. Health Care Development.
Other items in Ndume’s 10-point agenda include; to amend and review existing tax laws to:- Generate more income, Block leakages; ensure transparency through open accountability with full participation of all Senators; Protect and improve on welfare, rights and privileges of National Assembly Workers, 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, set a timeline for confirmations, passage of Bills especially budgets and executive requests and Pass the Constituency Development Bill to ensure transparency, equity, fairness, efficiency and effectiveness of Constituency Projects.
Subject to the position of the party and the fairness of the position of the Senate President, I intend to throw in my hat to the position of the Senate President. It is for my colleagues to decide.
Many people have been saying that I am quiet about vying for the office of the Senate President. I have declared my interest now. The party did not take a position on zoning during the presidential election.
It will be very fair because I was one of the people that advocated for the zoning of the office of the president to the South.
The Senators will decide who will lead them.
