When it came to the appointment of principal officers in the Northern House of Assembly, J.S. Tarka who hails from Tarka Local Government just as Senator George Akume, again made room for Alhaji Ibrahim a Kanuri man to become the minority leader in the Northern House of Assembly.
J.S. Tarka choose Ibrahim Imam in preference to Hon. Isaac Shaahu who also won the election and at that time was J.S. Tarka’s right hand man.
Today, J.S. Tarka’s “younger” brother having undoubtedly fulfilled all the conditions to contest for the position of Senate Presidency, has humbly presented himself for that position to Nigerians.
Ironically, having demolished all other contestants, Senator Ahmed Lawan a Kanuri man from Yobe State now appears to be his only rival for this position.
While we concede the right of Senator Lawan a three time Senator like Senator Akume to contest the position of Senate President, we strongly feel that, the distinguished Senator should be persuaded to honourably withdraw as this chance provide an ample opportunity for a payback time for what J.S. Tarka did 51 years ago.
Senator George Akume has entered this race with humility and very tall credentials. His political feats in bringing the old Middle Belt and now North Central zone into Northern political mainstream will not only bring stability, but will also bring cohesion, creating room for development.
Senator Akume is adequately backed up for this position by enormous experience as a graduate career civil servant, rising to the position of Permanent Secretary and eight years in the executive arm as governor. As a minority leader in the Senate for eight years, Akume has learnt the ropes of administration of the Senate, acquiring patience, tolerance, and other legislative skills.
We need not add that one of the biggest problems of Nigeria today is ethnic and religious distrust. Akume coming from a minority tribal group and a religious background other than the President, will be able to doze any mistrust that may arise from these sensitive areas in the course of the administration.
One other point in favour of Senator Akume is the fact that, he has age advantage over his rival. We have no doubt that, the President-elect will respect Akume’s experience in the executive arm of government, in the legislature, in his political engineering and above all his age.
We appeal to all men of goodwill from the North and particularly from the North East including the son of late Ibrahim Imam, Kashim to appeal to other rivals of Senator Akume to give him a chance to serve this country in the position of Senate President in order that, he will bring about his charm, political sagacity, humility and patience to move this country forward without rancor.
