OPINION: Appointments Or Zoning Of NASS Leadership, By Obunike Ohaegbu Esq

I have read on several platforms where Nigerians and even some of our colleagues in the opposition are claiming that the APC has zoned the positions of the leadership of the National Assembly.

I am shocked that even some of us in the PDP are making the same mistake.

What the President Elect and his Party, APC did was appointment of leaders for the both Chambers of the National Assembly.

The APC Governors made a recommendation for the Zoning of the leadership positions in the National Assembly by recommending the Zones but the moment individual names got attached to it, it became APPOINTMENTS and not zoning.

Zoning is good to ensure that every zone in Nigeria is carried along in the power play in Nigeria.

Nothing in our laws allows the President-Elect to appoint leaders for the National Assembly.

At this point, I thought the President Elect with the enormous responsibilities of making over 5000 appointments in the Nation starting from the heads of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies should be focused on shortlisting credible Nigerians that would help him execute his campaign promises. Adding the appointmentsbof the leaders of the both Chambers of the National Assembly is not just unconstitutional but also avoidable distractions. He should be willing to work with anyone the members of the National Assembly elected to lead them as stipulated by our laws. Staying away from publicly announcing individuals for the various positions could help in avoiding unnecessary ego war which is not good for the polity. The experiences of Tambuwal and Saraki are still fresh in our memories.

Appointments of individuals for offices cannot be presented as zoning of offices to Geopolitical Zones.

The President Elect and the leadership of the APC should see the need to avert the looming crisis.

I am

Obunike Ohaegbu Esq.

(Ezesinachi Ukpor)