Political leaders of Nigeria’s South East geo-political zone appear to have shut themselves from the country’s emerging power equation beginning May 29, as the zone did not produce any federal lawmaker on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Saturday’s National Assembly elections.

With no APC lawmaker from the South East, the zone is likely to lose the positions of the Senate President or Speaker of the House of Representatives — two slots the region should ordinarily fill.

At Saturday’s Presidential and National Elections, all five states in the South East – Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu and Ebonyi – not only voted overwhelmingly for the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, but for all the party’s candidates in the National Assembly elections.

On the contrary, all the candidates of the APC in the legislative elections as well as the party’s presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, lost woefully in the zone.

The 15 senatorial seats in the zone were won by the Peoples Democratic Party.

The APC’s presidential candidate, Mr. Buhari, however won the election and will form the government at the centre come May 29.

With Mr. Buhari from the North and his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo, from the South West, at least one of the two next key positions – the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives — should have been produced by the South East zone.

A former governor of Anambra State and serving senator, Chris Ngige, who was being positioned for the Senate President, lost his bid to return to the upper legislative chamber.

Mr. Ngige was defeated by Uche Ekwunife of the PDP. A serving member of the House of Representatives, Ms. Ekwunife will now represent the Anambra central senatorial district when the next Senate session opens June.

The incumbent Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who represents Enugu West Senatorial District, is returning on the platform of the PDP for the fourth time.

Apart from coming from the North Central zone, the Senate President, David Mark, who is returning to Senate for the fifth time, also belongs to the PDP thus ineligible to occupy the seat.

Faced with this dilemma, the APC should be forced to zone the position of the Senate Presidency to South-South zone where the party has so far won a seat in Edo State. The party’s candidate, Francis Aimikhena, won in Edo North.

However, the possibility of Mr. Aimikhena picking the slot is remote for two reasons. First, he is from the same zone and state as the party’s National Chairman, John Oyegun. Besides, the outgoing governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, might pick the Secretary to the Government of the Federation slot.

Second, Mr. Aimikhena will not be a ranking senator because he coming to the upper chamber for the first time. Consequently, he is barred by the rules of the Senate which says only ranking senators can aspire to the office of the Senate President.

There are also other distant possibilities.

One, although it has become the convention that a party in majority leads the Senate, there is no express rule that says only members of such party should occupy the offices of the Senate President and Deputy Senate President. As a result, the contest for the position might attract ranking senators from the minority party, in this case, the PDP.

There is also the likelihood of a ranking senator like Mr. Ekweremadu agreeing with the APC leadership to defect to the party with to occupy the exalted position.

Ultimately, with no strong contender from the south east, the Senate president seat may be snatched by the North, as it happened with the House of Representatives’ Speaker slot in the outgoing administration.

The House seat was reserved for the South West, but was eventually taken by Aminu Tambuwal, despite the North having Namadi Sambo as Vice President.

The loss by the South West followed the refusal of the region’s lawmakers, many in the opposition parties, to back Mulikat Akande-Adeola, propped by the PDP for the seat. Ms. Akande-Adeola eventually settled for the House Majority Leader slot.

Should that happen, the most likely scenario will be the North Central taking up the Senate President’s slot. The region has several candidates returning on the APC platform.

The fight then, will be straight between a former governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki, a former governor of Benue State and Senate Minority Leader, George Akume, and a former National Chairman of Chairman of the PDP, Barnabas Gemade.

While Mr. Akume is returning to the Senate for the third time, Messrs. Saraki and Gemade are returning the second time.

In the House of Representatives, no candidate from the South East zone won election on the platform of the APC.

Interestingly though, no fewer than five native Igbos – originally from the South East– won their elections to the House from far away Lagos State. Yet, even from Lagos, they won their tickets on the PDP platform.

Among them are Tony Nwoolu and Rita Orji who won in Oshodi/Isolo and Ajeromi/Ifelodun Federal Constituencies.

South East and Senate Presidency

During the fourth session of the Senate (1999-2003), the Office of the Senate President was occupied in quick succession by Evan Enwerem (Imo), Chuba Okadigbo (Anambra) and Pius Anyim (Ebonyi).

In the fifth session (2003-2007), Adoplhus Wabara (Abia) and Ken Nnamani (Enugu) occupied the exalted seat.

In the sixth session, Ike Ekweremadu from Enugu emerged deputy senate president and he still occupies the position till position in the current seventh session.

An Igbo, Emeka Ihedioha, is currently the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.

The spokesperson of the South East chapter of the APC, Osita Okechukwu, who lamented the emerging political scenario, however, said there are other key positions at the federal level that could go to the South East.

Mr. Okechukwu, who also served in the Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation, recounted in a chat with PREMIUM TIMES that he had always canvassed that Ndigbo should vote for the APC.

He said he had warned his kinsmen not to “put their eggs in one basket”.


http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/180474-with-apc-win-south-east-shuts-self-from-senate-president-speaker-slots.html

What is wrong with being in the opposition.
What have we gained by from our loyalty to the central govt.
Was the south west not in opposition few years ago.
I even think the masses gains more from being in opposition because it means the govt will try to please them than loyal zones where politicians hijack everything

This is what happens when you cut your nose to spite your face

I really pray that Igbos reflect on their attitude and start building relationships with all regions in the country

I am hopeful they will make the right decision in Imo state governorship election

We love it that way.
Yorubas should stop crying more than the supposed bereaved.
They didn't occupy any of those positions in the last 4 years and no one taunted them because of that.

ChinemeOkpan:
This is what happens when you cut your nose to spite your face

what is this one saying

My Ibo brothers wil, never learn.

eCollynzo:
We love it that way.
Yorubas should stop crying more than the supposed bereaved.
They didn't occupy any of those positions in the last 4 years and no one taunted them because of that.

The closest Igbo man to the incoming Government is Dr Chris Ngige Onwa.

Lets break down things to see how bad Igbos are at strategizing? They couldn’t override their pathological hatred for General Buhari to make a hedge bet and return this man to the Senate, to enhance his chances at Senate President, incase General Buhari wins, which he did.

Instead folks played tribal and religious politics to the tilt as drunken sailors, and failed the man and the chance to make history as Senate President. That’s what happens when emotions trips common sense and folks succumb to hustlers like Peter Obi and Arthur Eze, hustlers after their own interests instead of the masses they pretend to serve.

I urged caution, I pleaded that we were making a huge mistake to hitch our wagon on Jonathan who wasn’t going to
win. And predictably he lost, so also our chance in the new administration.

Lets not gloat.

But maybe, maybe, only maybe he gets a good ministerial appointment, but nothing beats being Senate President.

Igbos are very bad at politics.

Fifty years after independence, they are yet to produce a president when others have taken multiple turns. Their answer is ? Blame others! If you only Hausas didn’t do this or Yorubas didn’t do that, perhaps the god of politics will bless our lot.

And sadly it won’t stop until they learn to coexist with others instead of our ‘better than thou’ attitude when dealing with the Hausas and Yorubas. They are not better than anyone.

Igbos don’t like the Hausas and same igbos don’t like the Yorubas, yet they populate their States in search for livelihood.

They should let their politics mirror their economic aspirations, not the other way around. There is no wisdom in living in the North, earning a living, yet despise the Northerners. That’s being ungrateful.

How long can this collective amnesia insulate the igbos from meaningfully seating at the table, making contributions to Nigeria’s political evolution?

How long can this foolishness go on? How long?

There is a miserable silence across the land today, because they are realizing that they were sold off for pennies by pimps who parade as Igbo leaders.

Where are they? Anyone home?

Ymodulus:

The closest Igbo man to the incoming Government is Dr Chris Ngige Onwa.
Lets break down things to see how bad Igbos are at strategizing? They couldn’t override their pathological hatred for General Buhari to make a hedge bet and return this man to the Senate, to enhance his chances at Senate President, incase General Buhari wins, which he did.
Instead folks played tribal and religious politics to the tilt as drunken sailors, and failed the man and the chance to make history as Senate President. That’s what happens when emotions trips common sense and folks succumb to hustlers like Peter Obi and Arthur Eze, hustlers after their own interests instead of the masses they pretend to serve.
I urged caution, I pleaded that we were making a huge mistake to hitch our wagon on Jonathan who wasn’t going to
win. And predictably he lost, so also our chance in the new administration.
Lets not gloat.
But maybe, maybe, only maybe he gets a good ministerial appointment, but nothing beats being Senate President.
Igbos are very bad at politics.
Fifty years after independence, they are yet to produce a president when others have taken multiple turns. Their answer is ? Blame others! If you only Hausas didn’t do this or Yorubas didn’t do that, perhaps the god of politics will bless our lot.
And sadly it won’t stop until they learn to coexist with others instead of our ‘better than thou’ attitude when dealing with the Hausas and Yorubas. They are not better than anyone.
Igbos don’t like the Hausas and same igbos don’t like the Yorubas, yet they populate their States in search for livelihood.
They should let their politics mirror their economic aspirations, not the other way around. There is no wisdom in living in the North, earning a living, yet despise the Northerners. That’s being ungrateful.
How long can this collective amnesia insulate the igbos from meaningfully seating at the table, making contributions to Nigeria’s political evolution?
How long can this foolishness go on? How long?
There is a miserable silence across the land today, because they are realizing that they were sold off for pennies by pimps who parade as Igbo leaders.
Where are they? Anyone home?

Stop talking foolishly, Igbo this Igbo that. Why the sudden love for Igbos? is love by force? The Igbo voted who they wanted so allow them experience the consequences of their choice. why are you taking analgesic for another mans headache?
in this passing government, why did the Yorubas give up on the speakership of the lower house? did you die because you didn't have it.
don't be foolish my friend. Ngige was voted over the indefatigable late DORA in 2011 but he was not a good representative of his constituency and he became rejected now you are blaming Igbo for voting out incompetence. what a hypocrite(remember you sw claim you voted out gej because of incompetence) you are a master of double speak aka sophistication aka hypocrisy aka false lover.
The Se and Sw don't have same political attitude. the sw plays a centrist politics while the Se plays to the right. each has its pros and coins and I don't think its right to antagonize anyone for his choice of politics.
As you are happy now that sw has hit the political jackpot in 2015 some other time in the future if nigeria endures Se will be happy too to have won a fabulous jackpot too.
peace brother

Guys, this democracy is structured such that the every state has EQUAL representation in the senate. A bill needs 71 votes out of 109 for assent on full sitting in the senate, and the Apc has only 64 seats. While In the house of reps EQUAL representation for the population is ensured. Also Nigerian people are not represented by the senate President, and neither does he get any special pay from the other senators if I'm correct.

So why all this nosense about an Igbo senate President?

U pple are creating problem with ss and sE. If u know de end problem of this u will not try

chai

Ymodulus:


The closest Igbo man to the incoming Government is Dr Chris Ngige Onwa.

Lets break down things to see how bad Igbos are at strategizing? They couldn’t override their pathological hatred for General Buhari to make a hedge bet and return this man to the Senate, to enhance his chances at Senate President, incase General Buhari wins, which he did.

Instead folks played tribal and religious politics to the tilt as drunken sailors, and failed the man and the chance to make history as Senate President. That’s what happens when emotions trips common sense and folks succumb to hustlers like Peter Obi and Arthur Eze, hustlers after their own interests instead of the masses they pretend to serve.

I urged caution, I pleaded that we were making a huge mistake to hitch our wagon on Jonathan who wasn’t going to
win. And predictably he lost, so also our chance in the new administration.

Lets not gloat.

But maybe, maybe, only maybe he gets a good ministerial appointment, but nothing beats being Senate President.

Igbos are very bad at politics.

Fifty years after independence, they are yet to produce a president when others have taken multiple turns. Their answer is ? Blame others! If you only Hausas didn’t do this or Yorubas didn’t do that, perhaps the god of politics will bless our lot.

And sadly it won’t stop until they learn to coexist with others instead of our ‘better than thou’ attitude when dealing with the Hausas and Yorubas. They are not better than anyone.

Igbos don’t like the Hausas and same igbos don’t like the Yorubas, yet they populate their States in search for livelihood.

They should let their politics mirror their economic aspirations, not the other way around. There is no wisdom in living in the North, earning a living, yet despise the Northerners. That’s being ungrateful.

How long can this collective amnesia insulate the igbos from meaningfully seating at the table, making contributions to Nigeria’s political evolution?

How long can this foolishness go on? How long?

There is a miserable silence across the land today, because they are realizing that they were sold off for pennies by pimps who parade as Igbo leaders.

Where are they? Anyone home?

I got a full understanding the Igbo man attitude during the susbidy removal struggle. The sat at home and let peter obi and likes hijack the whole show only to complain about fuel after the whole subsidy struggle

Imagine Igbos demanding senate top seat without showing any interest during polls. That's worse dan the born-to-rule clique from up north.

dmz1:


Stop talking foolishly, Igbo this Igbo that. Why the sudden love for Igbos? is love by force? The Igbo voted who they wanted so allow them experience the consequences of their choice. why are you taking analgesic for another mans headache?
in this passing government, why did the Yorubas give up on the speakership of the lower house? did you die because you didn't have it.
don't be foolish my friend. Ngige was voted over the indefatigable late DORA in 2011 but he was not a good representative of his constituency and he became rejected now you are blaming Igbo for voting out incompetence. what a hypocrite(remember you sw claim you voted out gej because of incompetence) you are a master of double speak aka sophistication aka hypocrisy aka false lover.
The Se and Sw don't have same political attitude. the sw plays a centrist politics while the Se plays to the right. each has its pros and coins and I don't think its right to antagonize anyone for his choice of politics.
As you are happy now that sw has hit the political jackpot in 2015 some other time in the future if nigeria endures Se will be happy too to have won a fabulous jackpot too.
peace brother

You are loosing it. Its about political calculations not luck.

To be honest the tribalist results from the SE and SS have knocked them offside. They just gave away the senate seat. Smh http://sturvs.com/195769/senate-presidency-south-east-may-lose-apc-shops-president/

opeoluwae:
To be honest the tribalist results from the SE and SS have knocked them offside. They just gave away the senate seat. Smh http://sturvs.com/195769/senate-presidency-south-east-may-lose-apc-shops-president/

foolish Yoruba ape, so the results from the northwest was nationalist?
Idîot