PDP rejects Tambuwal •Insists on zoning arrangement •IBB welcomes new Speaker’s emergence •PDP rejigs zoning of principal officers in NASS

THE national leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the emergence of Honourable Aminu Tambuwal as the

Speaker of the House of Representatives, insisting on the zoning arrangement being operated. 
According to the party, “zoning is still an integral part of the PDP constitution .”

In a statement after an emergency meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC), in Abuja on Tuesday, the party noted that “the idea of zoning is a well thought-out philosophy for national stability and integration. It is the only guarantee that every segment of Nigeria enjoys a sense of belonging by being represented in all the decision-making organs of the government of Nigeria.”

According to the statement signed by its National Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje and made available to newsmen, “prior to the election of principal officers that took place in the Senate and the House of Representatives on June  6, 2011, the NWC, in collaboration with other decision-making bodies of our party, made spirited efforts to build a consensus around the zoning formula.”

The party, however, noted with great concern the developments in the House of Representatives, especially the outcome of the election of principal officers which altered the zoning arrangements completely.

The statement declared that “the NWC is currently consulting other organs of the party to re-assess the entire scenario and will come up with an appropriate policy in due course.”

According to the statement, while the party believes in, and, indeed, encourages the exercise of freedom of choice for all Nigerians, including members of the National Assembly, it is important to reiterate that the principle of zoning is still an integral part of the PDP Constitution.”

Honourable Tambuwal, from the North-West had, on Monday, in a dramatic twist, emerged the Speaker of the House of Representatives ahead of Honourable Mulikat Adeola-Akande, from the South-West, who the party supported in line with its zoning formula.

Meanwhile, former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, on Tuesday, expressed joy with the outcome of elections of National Assembly leadership in which Senator David Mark won the Senate presidency while Honourable Tambuwal was elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Babangida specifically showed elation in the manner the House of Representatives members dumped the zoning arrangement by the PDP in electing Tambuwal.

He described the emergence of Tambuwal from Sokoto State as a triumph of reason, stating that he was indeed excited by what he described as bold and courageous step taken by the House of Representatives in electing Tambuwal, as according to him, the action by the Representatives amounted to a show of independence of the legislators in electing their leaders.

He described the emergence of Tambuwal from Sokoto State as a triumph of reason, adding that he was, indeed, excited by what he described as bold and courageous step taken by the House of Representatives in electing Tambuwal.

Babangida, against this background, said he would always be in support of the legislators in whatever form they might desire, adding that “I will be ready at all times to offer my advice in whatever little way for the sustenance of democracy, rule of law and stability of the system.”

He said the example that the House had shown would go a long way to eliminate culture of impunity and executive interference in the internal operations and workings of the legislature.

“I have no doubt in my mind about the capability of Honourable Tambuwal in discharging his legislative duties with his irrepressible deputy, Honour-able Emeka Ihedioha.

“This combination will, no doubt, give Nigerians true and positive representation in the act of lawmaking and stability of democracy,” he said.

He commended Senator Mark for the stability of the Senate and the legislature in general, adding that it was the hallmark of military discipline and deep sense of responsibility.

In another development, following the election of Honourable Tambuwal as Speaker of the House of Representatives, on Monday, the leadership of the PDP has reached out to the leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives to delay the composition of the body of principal officers.

This, according to sources close to the party, would ensure that arrangements were in place to accommodate zones that had been so far marginalised as a result of the election.

Sources in Abuja told the Nigerian Tribune that the delay in the announcement of principal officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives was as a result of the intervention of the leaders of the PDP, who reasoned that the composition of the body of principal officers in the two chambers had to be carefully done, so as not to offend the sensibilities of any geopolitical zone.

A source said the zones that had so far been left out of power equation would be considered for certain key positions in the National Assembly.

The positions open to PDP leaders in both the Senate and the House of Representatives include the Majority Leader; Deputy Majority Leader; Chief Whip and the Deputy Chief Whip.

In the immediate past Senate and the House of Representatives, the committees on Appropriation and Rules and Business were specifically zoned.

While the South-West had the position of Senate Leader in the last session of the Senate, it also retained the chairmanship seat of Appropriation Committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives. But the position of House Leader was zoned to the South-South.

It was gathered that the PDP was working out things whereby the South-West could get the position of the Majority Leader.

Initially, the position was thought to be zoned to the South-South.

The only PDP member in the Senate from the South-West, Senator Hosea Agboola, was said to have been penciled in for the position of Deputy Senate Chief Whip.

It had, however, become clear that not much of balancing could be done with the committees of the Senate, since the South-West had one senator from the PDP.

Sources said the South-South could get the Majority Leader post, while the chairman of Appropriation Committee, which was earlier targeted at the North-West might be re-zoned in view of the emergence of the speaker from the zone.

It also emerged on Tuesday that Tambuwal won the election into the House of Representatives because he was seen to have worked hard for the post.

Some members of the House, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, said  while the South-West was yet to get its acts together, Tambuwal had commenced zonal consultations with stakeholders and Reps-elect.

A source said the emergence of Mulikat Adeola-Akande after Tambuwal had endeared himself to the members meant that the South-West candidate was swimming against the tide.

It was, however, learnt that the pro-Tambuwal lawmakers had to be sure the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) would not vote for the PDP candidate.

It was learnt that the equation would have been reversed in favour of Adeola-Akande if it became clear that the ACN lawmakers would vote for the PDP.

Again, it was learnt that the decision by the presidency not to frustrate the election of Tambuwal also emboldened his supporters, who, however, continued to employ propaganda against the party.

It was gathered that President Jonathan had expressed a feeling that if Tambuwal emerged as speaker, he could work with him.