Posted by From LUCKY NWANKWERE, JAMES OJO and JACOB EDI, Abuja on
The South East caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the National Assembly has formally rejected the new zoning arrangement for the sharing of political and principal officers' positions in the assembly as announced by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party two days ago.
The South East caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the National Assembly has formally rejected the new zoning arrangement for the sharing of political and principal officers' positions in the assembly as announced by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party two days ago.
The caucus' position was made known by its spokesman, Senator-elect Ikechukwu Obiora, representing Anambra South Senatorial District at a special briefing session for members-elect of the new assembly at the Presidential Villa.
Describing it as not only unacceptable, but also an insult on the collective aspirations of the Ndigbo, he said the caucus had resolved to fight the zoning arrangement to the very last. Obiora said the zoning had completely relegated Ndigbo to a position of dependence on others for knowledge of some vital decisions taken by government and wondered: 'If the president decides to meet with the leadership of the National Assembly which is a very regular thing in the running of government, who will be representing the interest of the Igbo."
The deputy Senate president position, he argues, does not and cannot confer the same access as that of the speaker of the House of Representatives.
The caucus' position is coming as some members of the House of Representatives also kicked against alleged imposition of Mrs Patricia Olubunmi Etteh as the speaker to pilot the new House.
They faulted her qualification for the exalted position on the grounds of education and the fact of her being a woman, which they said they found unacceptable. Obiora said the South East caucus had agreed to use the period of the inauguration of the state governors to confer and consult with the new governors of the South East states on the matter and meet again today in Abuja to take a final decision on its strategy for seeking redress on the zoning.
Meanwhile, a reliable source at the meeting said the caucus also agreed to sponsor a candidate for the position of the speaker, when the new assembly would be inaugurated and had accordingly, encouraged a high ranking member of the House of Representatives from Anambra to roll out his campaign machinery to run for the office of the speaker.