Senate presidency: NANS kicks against zoning

FROM FRED ITUA, ABUJA

As political gladiators in All Progres­sives Con­gress (APC) conclude arrangements on the zoning of various leadership positions in the National As­sembly, the National Association of Nige­rian Students (NANS) has kicked against the move, describing it as undemocratic.

President of the stu­dents body, Mr. Tijani Usman Shehu told jour­nalists in Abuja yes­terday that rather than focus on religion and tribe, the APC should dwell more on merits of those vying for various leadership positions.

He added that zoning must not be allowed to overshadow national interest, adding that the same nationalistic spirit demonstrated by Nige­rians during the presi­dential and governor­ship elections should be replicated in the emer­gence of National As­sembly leaders.

“We have observed the moves by the APC in zoning the leader­ship of National As­sembly. It is alarming that at this critical point in our democracy, zon­ing is being emphasised above merit. While we acknowledge the imperative of having national spread in the composition of princi­pal officers in the Na­tional Assembly, paro­chial issues like zoning should not be allowed to overshadow national interest.

“We therefore ap­peal to the APC to put national interest above party interest. Nigeri­ans are in a hurry to get good governance and for this to be achieved, the National Assembly must be robust in its en­gagements. That means the right persons should be allowed to emerge through a seamless pro­cess,” the NANS presi­dent pleaded.

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