Abuja, Nigeria – (African Boulevard News) – As the 10th National Assembly approaches the end of its tenure, parliamentary monitoring organization, OrderPaper Nigeria, has released an appraisal of the legislative arm. According to Udora Orizu, the organization highlighted the need for the next leadership of the parliament to be based on lawmakers’ competence and not just on zoning. This development has sparked discussions in the political sphere, with stakeholders expressing their opinion on the issue.
In a recent interview, a political analyst, Mr. Tony Akabuno, stated that the call for competent leaders in the legislative arm is a welcome development. He noted that Nigeria needs lawmakers who can contribute their quota to the development of the country, irrespective of their ethnicity or geopolitical zone.
“There is no doubt that Nigeria is in dire need of competent leaders, especially in the legislative arm. We need lawmakers who can initiate and pass bills that will improve the lives of the citizens. The next leadership of the National Assembly should be based on merit, and not just on zoning,” he said.
On the other hand, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aliyu Danladi, expressed his reservation on the issue of merit in the leadership of the National Assembly. He stated that zoning is a crucial factor in Nigeria’s political structure, and the next leadership of the parliament should reflect the country’s federal character.
“Zoning is a crucial factor in our political structure. The leadership of the National Assembly should reflect the diversity of Nigeria’s ethnic composition. That being said, the next leadership should also be based on competence and not just on zoning,” he said.
It is important to note that Nigeria has a history of zoning in its political and legislative structures. The unwritten rule allows political positions to be rotated among the different regions of the country. However, there have been debates as to whether competence should override zoning in the selection of leaders.
In conclusion, the need for competent leaders in the legislative arm of government is crucial to Nigeria’s development. While zoning is an important factor, it should not override lawmakers’ competence and ability to contribute to the country’s growth. The next leadership of the National Assembly should be based on merit, competence, and the country’s federal character. Only then can the legislative arm of government effectively serve the interests of the citizens.
