CLERK TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, SALISU MAIKASUWA (R) SWEARINNG-IN THE DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT, IKE EKWEREMADU AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE 8TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN ABUJA ON TUESDAY (9/6/15).WITH THEM IS SENATE PRESIDENT BUKOLA SARAKI. (NAN)
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, on Saturday said the decision of the majority of the people of the South East to keep faith with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election was not misplaced.
He said that given another opportunity, the region would vote in the same manner.
Ekweremadu, who made this known while addressing his supporters on arrival at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, said he decided to take another shot at the position of Deputy Senate President when it appeared the people of the zone were about to be sidelined in the scheme of things in the current dispensation following the last elections.
Ekweremadu, who was returned as Deputy Senate President on Tuesday amid high level political intrigues, urged his fellow senators and all political office holders to settle down for business to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
He also advised President Muhamadu Buhari to accommodate all Nigerians irrespective of party and ethnic inclination.
He said: “We have no regrets. The Igbo have no regret for the way they voted; if they have the opportunity tomorrow they will do it again.
“We are convinced we voted rightly, and because we believe we are part and parcel of this country, we believe what we got is within our right. So we expect that APC should be able to accommodate the people of the South South as they form their government, because don’t forget that Buhari got about 15 million votes; we have more than 150 million Nigerians, so he is not the president of 15 million people; the rest of the people must be accommodated.
“In fact, that was why, when we saw that it appeared that the South East and South South were being marginalised in the scheme of things, we decided to take a shot so that our people would be part and parcel of the government so that every part of Nigeria will have a sense of belonging.
“I’m very delighted to be among my people that have come to receive me after I was honoured by the entire senators of the Federal Republic Nigeria; I’m honoured by the people of Nigeria and my people, the great Igbo people, were also honoured by the people of Nigeria, PDP was also honoured by the people of Nigeria.
“So I’m here coming home to my root, and I’m happy that they are here to receive me. We have finished with politics, now is time for governance; we should put politics behind and move on; this country is bigger than any political party, so let’s work together as a people to ensure that we deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Nigeria”, he said.