5th April, 2023
Senator Ali Ndume has expressed his readiness to contest the Senate Presidency seat in the 10th National Assembly.
He declared his interest in a press statement issued on Wednesday.
The 10th Assembly will be inaugurated in June 2023 after the swearing-in of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on May, 29.
However, Ndume said his ambition would be determined by the fairness of the APC zoning arrangements.
He said, “Subject to the position of the party (APC), and the fairness of such arrangements, I intend to throw my hat for the race for Senate Presidency because of my experience.”
The Borno-South Senator, who ran against the current Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in 2019, questioned why the APC insisted on zoning arrangements for the National Assembly positions but not for the presidential primaries.
“APC leadership did not take any position during the presidential primary election. Aspirants from all geopolitical zones participated in the exercise.
“Senators should be allowed to choose a competent person among them that has adequate legislative and managerial experiences to lead the Senate.
“Zoning may not lead to the emergence of the best person for the job that is why the decision to choose the Senate presiding officers must be the sole responsibility of the senators.”
If elected, he promised to prioritize Nigeria and Nigerian interests, while also emphasizing the importance of political inclusion and power devolution in his agenda.
As Senate President, he vowed to “be one, not first among equals,” and to work harmoniously and collaboratively with the executive branch of government.
Ndume added that the legislature’s interaction with the judiciary would be cordial without undermining the principles of Separation of Powers.
He promised that the Senate, under his leadership, would pass new laws and revise existing ones to satisfy Nigerians’ desires and aspirations.
Additionally, he vowed that the Senate would introduce legislation to address citizen security and welfare, create employment, combat corruption, improve education, stimulate the economy, and ensure infrastructure development.
The Senator also discussed how he plans to promote company and entrepreneurship development, as well as healthcare development.
“We would amend and review existing tax laws to generate more income, block leakages and ensure transparency through open accountability with the full participation of all senators
“We will protect and improve the welfare, rights, and privileges of National Assembly workers.
“We will inculcate es-spirit de-corps to utilize the experiences of former members by engaging them as consultants to members and Committees to tap from their experiences.
“We will set a timeline for confirmations, and passage of Bills especially budgets and executive requests.
“The Constituency Development Bill will be passed to ensure transparency, equity, fairness, efficiency, and effectiveness of Constituency Projects,” Ndume added.