Leader of Ijaw Youths Coalition (IYC) , Tom Oghene has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to promote national unity and peace by giving all ethnic groups a sense of belonging in federal appointments.
According to the group, the 9th session of the national assembly should be headed by a Nigerian of Igbo extraction in the spirit of patriotism. He stressed that since President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo are from the North and South West respectively, it is pertinent to zone the position of the Senate President to the South East, adding that the country’s heterogenous nature should not be seen as a tool for promoting disharmony rather as an advantage. Oghene made these remarks in Asaba on Friday while playing host to the National Coordinator of Ndigbo Youths, Chief Ben Adams.
While acknowledging the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in taking Nigerian to the next level, Oghene faulted perpetrators of hate speech, adding that the welfare of Nigerians must be placed above selfish ambitions.
He said, “as we await the inauguration of the 9th national assembly, we urge the President and the national leadership of the APC to zone the position of Senate President to the South East. Nigeria is made up of three predominant tribes: Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. Presently, it is only Ndigbo that is left out in top national positions. President Buhari is Hausa and Vice President Osinbajo is Yoruba. It is the turn of Ndigbo to produce the Senate President. For Nigeria to progress, there must be fairness in all appointments” .
Earlier in his remarks, Adams, emphasized that Ndigbo will continue to be steadfast, calm and law-abiding despite their grievances.
He said” if the South East is given the opportunity to produce the Senate President, the region will be happy.
“Over the years before the current administration, we had been marginalized.
“ President Buhari has started correcting the anomalies by fixing our roads and other infrastructure.
“We count on the support of the President in a bid for the South East to produce the next Senate President.
The duo of Oghene and Adams, urged the youth to embrace politics, adding that the future of Nigeria is bright under the President Buhari-led government.