By Abdul Jelil Adebayo
As the day for the election of principal officers for the 10th National Assembly draws closer, so are struggle to be numbered among those that will pilot the affairs of the Federal Legislature getting fiercier.
As at the last count, the number jostling for these positions have outgrown the fingers on our hands.
Though the party has not come out with the zoning, yet everyone is on the radar.
Many believe the South East should have it this time around, others are saying it should go to anywhere competent person could be located.
This is a selfish thought because, looking at the pedigree of the 109 senators elect, each of them is competent depending on what yardstick one is using.
But what the Senate needs at this time is beyond competence, it needs first among equals, a team player and one that has been long in the chamber to know the rudiments of the office in question.
Taking into consideration the political spread of offices before now since 1999, the three major zones have the first three shots of president, vice president and the Senate president.
Be that as it maybe, the South East should produce the number three man. And looking around for one that has competence, cool headed, not too full of self, a team player, approachable and has been in the corridor of NASS as a worker and a lawmaker, then one person stands out shoulder high among those that have indicated interest in the Senate Presidency.
And the person the cap fits is senator Osita Izunaso from Imo State.
A young unassuming politician that is cool headed and operate with decisive masterstroke is his trademark.
A renowned journalist and one time Chief Press Secretary to the Third Republic Speaker, Agunwa Anakwe and later moved a notch higher to become the Chief Press Secretary to the first Senate president of the Third Republic, Evans Enwerem.
A lawyer and administrator, Izunaso moved over to public service as he became Press Secretary to the Minister of Labour, Youths and Sports.
His divine part brought him back to National Assembly as he was elected a member of the House of Representatives. Destiny shone on him as he also moved higher into the Red chamber as a senator of the Federal Republic.
He participated effectively in plenary and sponsored bills that are to his credit.
After leaving NASS, destiny pushed him further to become the first National Organising Secretary of the ruling party, All Progressive Congress, APC.
None of those competing for the number three position can boast of these credentials.
With the arrival of the president-elect there is high hope that the party leaders and the stakeholders will meet and in their wisdom give the slot to South East.
And from there the coast will be clear indicating that it is the time of Izunaso to climb the exalted seat.
For equity and justice, an Igbo extraction has to mount the exalted position this time around.
And going by this, however, three major names are on the radar. These are Dave Umuahi, the outgoing governor of Ebonyi state; Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia state and outgoing Chief Whip of the 9th Senate; and Osita Izunaso, the oldest ranking senator from the South-east in the coming 10th Senate.
Any of them, to be truthful, is eminently qualified. But then the three can’t sit on the single seat that is available. And two of them must give way for one.
And if we are to go by any yardstick anyone may put forward, then the lot will fall on Izunaso.
Let all the contestants present their scorecard and their pedigree will show that Izunaso has no stain on his garment.
It is not arrogance but the truth is that he is the oldest senator, not by age but by experience, among the lots.
Besides his various experience he is a man that wants to touch lives giving back to society little from what God has blessed him with.
He has a pet project tagged Kpakpando Foundation which is for Persons with Disability, PWD.
It was founded 17 years ago with the aim of catering for the needs of persons with Disability.
The Foundation has provided scholarship for over 1,000 indigent students since inception and gift Items such as wheel chairs, Assorted Food items, Generators, Sewing Machines, have been provided to support the PWDs.
The Foundation also extend Annual Medical outreach to PWDs and others
Using the Foundation, Sen. Osita facilitated the passage of a Bill, Disability Commission; now National Commission for Persons with
Disability.
Surprisingly, the Foundation has won several National and International Merit Awards of Excellence.
Izunaso has repeatedly said that he is in the race to serve the people of Nigeria and promised that it will be all inclusive administration where every senator will have equal access to the funds of the senate.
Before now it was the prerogative of the first among equals to determine who goes on foreign trips, but Izunaso has promised that a committee will be in charge.
He has promised to include former senators as consultants to gain from their experiences while in the Red Chamber.
This is a noble desire and should be supported by well meaning senators.
In summary Izunaso wants to be first among equal because he has all the necessary qualities of a Senate President. He is a faithful and loyal party man, an accommodating, philanthropist, humane, loved by most people he comes in contact with.
His shoulders are big enough to bear the burdens of the less priviledge, because he has passed through that road before.
He is for this moment, the best option for the 10th Senate Presidency.
His pedigree shows that he is capable and most qualified for it.
Izunaso, it is your turn and time.
🔹️Abdul can be reached via abduljelil2001@gmail.com