A gathering of demonstrators has forcefully entered the National Secretariat of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Abuja, demanding that the position of the Senate president be allocated to the South-East region.
The protesters, organized under the APC Support Forum, expressed their belief that it was time for the South-East to take up leadership roles in the 10th National Assembly.
Adamu Isa’ah, the National Publicity Secretary of the group, accused the party of engaging in “microzoning,” a practice that favors specific individuals for particular positions. Isa’ah strongly criticized this approach during a press conference at the entrance of the secretariat.
He highlighted the interdependence of Nigeria’s various regions, emphasizing that any harm inflicted on one part of the country affects the entire nation.
Isa’ah stated, “The Forum of APC Support Groups vehemently condemns and outrightly rejects the so-called zoning formula of the 10th National Assembly (NASS) imposed by the party. Furthermore, we express deep concern over the party’s decision to microzone positions to specific individuals. This strategy goes against the principles of inclusivity within the party. We urge the party to engage in extensive consultations with stakeholders, particularly the National Executive Committee (NEC), to ensure fairness, goodwill, equity, and justice. The party must uphold its motto of justice, peace, and unity.”
He further urged the APC leadership to emulate the previous administration’s example and strive for a government free from corruption.
Isa’ah emphasized the importance of adhering to the principles and values of the legacy parties, namely ACN, APGA, ANPP, CPC, and n-PDP.
He pointed out that since 2015, members from these parties had held significant positions within the APC, including the presidency, vice presidency, senate presidency, speaker of the House of Representatives, national chairmen, and secretary.
Isa’ah argued that the current lack of balance and fairness needed to be addressed and rectified.
Moreover, he criticized those competing for the position of Senate President in the upcoming 10th NASS, highlighting that many of them had joined the APC during its later stages of power and had not made substantial contributions to the party.
He compared them to opportunistic politicians who only emerge when the time is favorable. According to Isa’ah, this unfairness undermines the efforts of those who have diligently worked to build the party from its inception to its present status.
Isa’ah also emphasized the representation of the South-East within the APC, noting that the region had produced two APC governors and six APC Senators-elect.
He criticized the current favoritism shown towards the South-South in the selection of the Senate president, pointing out that the region had already held the presidency, vice presidency, two national chairmen, national secretary, deputy senate presidency, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
