The former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South has formally declared to contest for the position of Senate President, just as he said that with his experience as a legislator, it would be disservice for him not to vie for the position.
Speaking with Journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Ndume who unveiled a ten- point agenda for the 10th Senate as the President, however warned the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC against zoning the position of the President of the Senate, saying that the Senators should be allowed to decide for themselves.
According to him, it has become imperative for the party not to zone the position of number three to any geo- political zone of the country against the backdrop that the party did not zone the Presidential slot to any zone prior to the primary election.
Ndume who is presently the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, advised the APC and Stakeholders that zoning will not be good for them, just as he stressed that he was contesting for the position of President of the Senate subject to the party and subject to the fairness of the position.
Speaking on the 10- point agenda, Senator Ndume said that he would implement them as the President of the Senate and if he is not, he would push the 10th Senate to adopt them.
According to him, as President of the Senate, he would put Nigeria and Nigerian interest first, saying that the 9th Senate did not put Nigeria first, but President Muhammadu Buhari first, adding that political inclusion and Power devolution would form part of the major areas of discourse in the 10th Senate.
Ndume said, my 10 point agenda for the 10th Senate are;
“Put Nigeria and Nigerian interest first.
“Senate President should be one not first among equals. Work harmoniously and inter-dependently with the executive and Judicial Arms of Government without undermining the principles of Separation of Power.
“Make new laws and review existing ones to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. Especially Security and welfare of Citizens; Job Creation; Economic and Infrastructural Development; Fight against Corruption; Health Care Development; Education and Political inclusion/ Power devolution.
“Amend and review existing tax laws to: Generate more income and Block leakages. Ensure transparency through open accountability with full participation of all Senators. Protect and improve on welfare, rights and privileges of National Assembly Workers.
“Inculcate es-spirit de-corps in order to utilize the experiences of former members by engaging them as consultants to members and Committees in order to tap from their experiences.
“Set a timeline for confirmations, passage of Bills especially budgets and executive requests. Pass the Constituency Development Bill to ensure transparency, equity, fairness, efficiency and effectiveness of Constituency Projects.”
Ndume was re-elected in the Saturday 25th February, 2023 National Assembly election.
