The Southern Elders Forum (SEF) has thrown their weight behind the joint ticket of former governors of Abia and Zamfara states, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and Abdullaziz Yari for the Senate presiding offices.
Rising from a crucial meeting in Abuja which was attended by members drawn from the South East, South-South and Southwestern states, the Elders endorsed the candidatures of the former governors citing their capacity, acceptance amongst Senators elect, adding that their ambitions were driven by interest of democracy and the protection of the sanctity of the Senate.
Spokesperson for the Organisation, Banji Oyelakin, in his statement praised Yari and Kalu for sustaining the struggle in the fight for the independence of the legislature despite the gale of intimidation and oppression orchestrated by those close to the Presidency.
Making a case for the South East, Banji said that while it awaits the final decision of both men on who becomes the President and the Deputy, the organisation urged the Senators elect to consider the South East geopolitical zone for a viable position.
The group carpeted the Vice President Kashim Shettima over his comments that “under the current dispensation, the worst incompetent Southern Christian is better than the most puritanical Northern Muslim for the Presidency of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
According to the group, Shettima’s comments were not only disappointing but a confirmation that indeed the Presidency was out to intimidate Senators-elect from exercising their franchise and choosing their Leadership in tomorrow’s 10thNational Assembly inauguration.
