{"id":417743,"date":"2011-05-05T03:51:35","date_gmt":"2011-05-05T03:51:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/05\/05\/igbo-must-produce-speaker-or-senate-president\/"},"modified":"2011-05-05T03:51:35","modified_gmt":"2011-05-05T03:51:35","slug":"igbo-must-produce-speaker-or-senate-president","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/05\/igbo-must-produce-speaker-or-senate-president\/","title":{"rendered":"Igbo must produce Speaker or Senate President"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

BY TORDUE SALEM<\/strong>
Members of the South-east caucus in the House of Representatives yesterday declared that nothing short of the Senate Presidency or the Speakership of the Green Chamber would be enough for the zone in the next dispensation.<\/p>\n

A press statement jointly signed by members of the Caucus, that is chaired by Chief Whip Emeka Ihedioha, decried a perceived marginalisation of the area for some time, despite the zone\u2019s faith in the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).<\/p>\n

\u201cIn recent times, the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria has suffered serious political setbacks. Some of these have been self Inflicted while others have been imposed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the April 2011 presidential elections, in demonstration of absolute good faith, the South East whole heartedly and unconditionally backed the candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR. This followed the block votes given to him by the zone at the PDP primaries resulting in his emergence as the party flagbearer. This was despite the numerous tempting offers from our brothers from other geopolitical zones in the Northern part of the country\u201d, the caucus stated.<\/p>\n

The caucus stressed that from the overwhelming support the zone has given the party at all levels, it would be justifiable if the position of Speaker or Senate President is given to the area.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe position of the South East that it would not run for the office of the President or Vice President, no doubt compelled both the ACN and the CPC Presidential candidates, to pick their running mates from the South West.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe results of the just concluded General Elections shows that, the PDP in the South East received over 85% support in the National Assembly elections, and about\u00a0 97% support in the presidential election. The total votes of 5.1 million represent almost a quarter of the total valid votes received by President Jonathan in the presidential election. Indeed, the PDP has won all 3 of the Governorship elections conducted so far in the South East.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the above figures, it is crystal clear that in the 2011 General Elections, the PDP did very well in the South- East Zone. This position is in line with the voting pattern started in 1999, representing PDP dominance in the South East. It is therefore incomprehensible that over 85% South East support for PDP in the National Assembly elections will be sacrificed for any reason whatsoever\u201d, the caucus stated.<\/p>\n

The caucus added that: \u201cIt is pertinent to mention here that under the present circumstances only the position of Senate President or Speaker of the House of Representatives is acceptable to the South East. It is a gratuitous insult to offer the South East any position less than this. The argument about religious balancing is not tenable, historically.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe may recall that in the 2nd Republic, while the President (Shagari) was a Muslim, the Vice President, Senate President and Speaker were all Christians. Hell was not let loose. During the 1993 presidential elections, the South East put its weight behind the SDP\u2019s Abiola\/Kingibe candidature \u2013 a Muslim Muslim ticket.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 2007, the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Patricia Etteh were Christians. Infact, in the current legislature, both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives are Muslims. Religion has never been an issue. How has it now crept in surreptitiously?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe call on Ohaneze Ndigbo, all the Governors of the South East, all Senators and Honourable members-elect, and all stakeholders in the politics of the South East, who were in the forefront in convincing the people of the South East to support President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, to once again rally round and ensure that the South East is not further humiliated.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe insist on either the offices of the President of the Senate or Speaker of the House of Representatives. We will reject other offices such as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Deputy President of the Senate or any such office that may be offered to undermine the attainment of the two offices so mentioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur patience, support and loyalty must not be taken for granted. In the words of Mr. President \u201cEnough is Enough\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Comments are moderated. Please keep them clean and brief.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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\nIgbo must produce Speaker or Senate President<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

BY TORDUE SALEM Members of the South-east caucus in the House of Representatives yesterday declared that nothing short of the Senate Presidency or the Speakership of the Green Chamber would be enough for the zone in the next dispensation. 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