Opinion: Re:Who'll lead the 8th Senate? By Auwal Ibrahim Kanwugiwa
Your Letter to the Editor of last Monday made interesting reading. Even though it singled out Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki to have an edge over his mentioned colleagues vying to President of the 8th Senate to be proclaimed next week by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Letter did not do justice to the many attributes that Saraki possesses.
There is no doubt that, the next election to the office of the Senate President will presumably be a tough decision by the Senate because of the contending issues before the Senators and the power play and intrigues involved.
The 8th Senate and its presidency must surely be significantly different from its predecessors. In the past a consensus candidate used to emerge, which usually, a process that was often devoid of any choices to choose from. Those choices in democracy matter most; throughout history the best, most competent, most suitable, most qualified, most experienced and most dynamic candidate emerged in a decent and free and fair process and that's in my own opinion what the 8th Senate should do to give Nigerians under the All Progressive's Congress, with the jettisoning of consensus candidate for the Senate President especially.
As the Letter noted, the contest for the Senate presidency is going to be between what it said was the most qualified for the job, Dr Saraki representing Kwara Central Senatorial seat from North Central and Senator Ahmed Lawal from Yobe in the North East Zone, and the Senator representing North Central Zone is the current session and Minority Leader, George Akume. Like Saraki, Lawan and Akume are also ranking Senators, being a second term member in the Red Chamber.
But beyond political patronage, I consider Saraki most eminently qualified for the position in all ramifications, his legislative antecedents at the 7th Senate, introducing impactful legislations.
His record as chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum is also an important plus, illustrating his variegated experience in public service. Very crucial also is administrative acumen garnered over the years both in public and private Sectors, attesting to his capacity to successfully conduct the affairs of the Senate.
Auwal Ibrahim Kanwugiwa, Abuja
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