The Director General of Voice of Nigeria, VON, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, a foundation member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has extended his congratulations to Senator Godswill Akpabio following his election as the Senate President of the 10th Senate. Senator Akpabio emerged as the winner of the hotly contested election on Tuesday.
Speaking recently at the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria Nsukka, where his 1983 Graduate Set held their 40th Reunion Anniversary, Mr. Okechukwu congratulated Akpabio while also using the occasion to address the students on the importance of inclusive politics, which he believes is what helped Akpabio gathers 63 votes to defeat Senator Abdulaziz Yari.
Mr. Okechukwu acknowledged that Senator Yari was eminently qualified to be Senate President; However, in the enlightened wisdom of the majority of the Senators, and in line with the general position of Nigerians before the National Assembly election on the imperative of having a Christian among the top five officials in the country, Akpabio emerged as the winner.
Explaining his position further to the students, Mr. Okechukwu drew their attention to the fact that the President, Vice President, Speaker and Chief Justice of Nigeria are all Muslims, hence the need for at least a Christian Senate President to achieve parity.
Answering questions from one of the students, who interjected that Akpabio’s election might harm the doctrine of separation of powers, Mr. Okechukwu stated that whereas one may fancy the independence of the legislature and executive, enunciated by French philosopher Baron Montesquieu, a harmonious relationship between the two arms was crucial.
Highlighting several changes that are necessary for Nigeria, Mr. Okechukwu argued that the incremental critical amendments of Nigeria’s often-rigid 1999 Constitution must continue. He praised the endorsement of the Green Imperative Program aimed at revolutionizing agriculture and other essential laws and regulations proposed by Senator Ahmed Lawan and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamialla, stressing that these legislative actions could help reduce some extra meat powers embedded in the Exclusive Legislative List
He urged everyone to come together and contribute their quota to help Nigeria come out of its present state of turmoil. The country is presently at a crossroads and needs all hands on deck to overcome the challenges. Mr. Okechukwu also emphasized the need to give President Tinubu the benefit of the doubt, considering the bold steps he has taken so far in steering the nation’s affairs.
