10th NASS: North-Central govs demanded inclusion, didn’t reject zoning, says Wase

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, has said governors from the North-Central geopolitical zone did not reject the All Progressives Congress zoning arrangements for the 10th leadership positions as published in the media which was contrary to the statement he released yesterday.

Wase, who doubles as the Chairman North-Central Caucus of the National Assembly, explained in an interview with journalists in Abuja that the governors at the meeting only made a strong case for the North-Central in the allocation of the National Assembly’s leadership positions.

Earlier on Tuesday, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State distanced himself from the North-Central governors who rejected the APC zoning arrangement for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly.

He added that the governors, being party leaders from the region, cannot adopt a confrontational posture against the party’s position.

However, fielding questions from journalists on Tuesday evening, Wase confirmed that the contents of the resolution were agreed upon by all the governors, and federal lawmakers in attendance before it was made available to the media.

He explained that the meeting of the governors on Monday reviewed the proposed zoning structure released, and promised to reach out to the President-elect, Bola Tinubu and APC National Working Committee.

He said the essence of the proposed meeting with the President-elect and APC NWC was to appeal for reconsideration of the zoning of the presiding offices of the National Assembly.

The meeting, he added, discussed the zoning and raised reservations about the allocation of the positions of the Deputy Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 10th National Assembly to a particular geopolitical zone of the country.

Wase further clarified that the meeting was resolved and agreed to fully utilise all necessary dialogue and consultations to resolve the NASS leadership issue.

He said, “The governors did not say they rejected the entire zoning arrangements. They agreed to reach out to all major stakeholders for an amicable and acceptable zoning framework that will be all-inclusive.

“The governors canvassed support for the North Central aspirants and appealed to all senators and members-elect to continue to give Mr President-elect all the support needed for the smooth take-up of the 10th National Assembly, while also furthering consultations.”