Ranking doesn’t preclude first timer from becoming Senate President –Barr Orji

From Chinedu Nwafor, Abakaliki

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barrister Uchenna Orji has argued that ranking did not preclude first timer from becoming the president of the Senate.

Orji who stated this in a statement he made available to Journalists in Abakaliki,at weekend, said the Nigerian constitution was explicit on the categories of people eligible to be elected the Nigeria’s president of the Senate.

He was apparently reacting to the insinuations in some quarters that a first timer was not qualified to contest the position.

Recall that Governor David Umahi who was elected to represent Ebonyi South Senatorial zone in the just concluded general elections, recently declared his interest in the race for the Senate presidency of the 10th Senate.

But Mr Umahi’s interest has generated mixed reactions, with many saying, he is not qualified to hold the position, being a first timer.

However, Mr Orji, in his statement, countered the claim that Umahi is not qualified.

The State spokesman averred that being a first timer, didn’t preclude any Senator let alone a Senator of Umahi’s standing from contesting for the position.

He went further to declare that Mr Umahi is the best choice for the President of the 10th Senate and called on other Senators to rally behind him.

Orji said: “Much has been said about Ranking in the Senate as if it is a condition precedent for being a Senate President. This sentiment has shrinked the thought of legal minds and suppressed the pre- eminence and considerations of the rule of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on who qualifies to be elected as Senate President of Nigeria’s Senate.

“Under the constitution, the eligibility for being a Senate President is clear. By Section 50 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) every member of the Senate who has taken oath of membership is eligible to be voted for as Senate President. Ranking is not given any any iota of pre-eminence. It is expected that in electing a Senate President, emphasis should be on nation building, capability and character to lead the Senate to achieve the aspirations of the Nigerian people. The Senate members are known to be distinguished representatives of the people who must emphasize the virtue of mental and moral character (not ranking) as a yardstick for who is to be elected President of the Senate.

“Order 3 of the Senate Senate Standing Orders 2015 as Amended has three categories of people that can be elected as President of the Senate of Nigeria. A first timer is clearly empowered by Order 3 to contest for Senate Presidency alongside ranking members and those who came from the Federal House of Representatives.

“Essentially what determines the pendulum is the mindset of the Party in Majority, in this case the APC, the interest of the majority of the Distinguished Senators and the prominence of power play between the ranking Senators and the first timers. Mind you, the first timers are greater in number under the 10th Senate. No rule says that Ranking members will determine who is elected as President of the Senate. All the inaugurated Senators have equal voting rights. The Ranking Senators have no extra- influence or right of first refusal in who becomes the Senate President.

“In the 10th Senate, Nigerians want a Senate Presidency that will be vibrant, that will balance the national Political equilibrium and Geopolitical tripod. South East deserves the fullest consideration in this regard. In Zoning considerations, South East is one of the three major parts of the tripod. In the history of Nigeria’s independence, leadership of this Nation has always stood on the tripod of East, West and North. This is fair and equitable.

“In settling for South East, the Party in power and the Distinguished Senators who are electing the Senate President should look at pedigree not Ranking; they should look at those who have served with proven records of probity and accountability. They should make performance and leadershp experience count and not the number of tenures spent by a ranking Senator.

“His Excellency Engr Chief David Nweze Umahi FNSE FNATE CON GGCEHF is one of those from South East that will bring glory and honour to the 10th Senate.
David Nweze Umahi as Governor for 8 years has been outstanding in his cooperation and smooth working relationship with the Legislative Arm of government leading to the passage and signing into law of key legislations that have brought transformation like never before in Ebonyi State.

“Umahi has indebt knowledge of the workings of the Legislature as well as intergovernmental relations. He will provide legislative ingenuity that will solve the lingering security challenges in the State. As a man with private sector experience, he will provide legislative support that will liberalize economic development in Nigeria and transform the future of this country.

“Going forward in our renewed hope for a prosperous Nigeria, David Nweze Umahi is the best choice for the President of the 10th Senate.”