By David Chukwu.

As we count days to the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, the lines have been effectively drawn as the jostling for the leadership of the Green and Red Chambers reaches a fever pitch. Going by the zoning understanding within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the position of the Senate President is to be filled by a ranking Senator from the Southern part of the country while the Deputy Senate President is to come from the North. Similarly, the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker have been zoned to the North and South respectively. With few days to the inauguration, three candidates from the South have shown strong determination to run the race to the end. They are Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Orji Kalu (Abia) and Osita Izunaso (Imo).

Initially it was believed that the the national leadership of the APC zeroed in on the choice of Akpabio as the Senate President and Barau Jibrin from Kano in North West as the Deputy Senate President. But majority of the returning and new Senators are reportedly opposed to this move, saying that the lawmakers should be left alone to determine by themselves who should lead them. They want the best and most qualified of the three aspiring Senators to emerge as the Senate helmsman so that the Independence of the National Assembly can be guaranteed.
The crucial question is: who amongst Izunaso, Akpabio and Kalu has the requisite qualifications and experience to occupy the coveted position? Who amongst them is well appointed to guarantee the independence of the National Assembly? Who amongst them truly understands the inner workings of the Assembly? Who amongst them has what it takes to work cordially with Tinubu and bring a measure of stabilization to his administration?

The truth of the matter is that Tinubu does not need a deal maker or a divisive character to occupy the position. Looking critically at the three Senators in contention from the South, it is quite clear that Osita Izunaso fits the bill. He is the man to watch. Unlike the other two, he is the most ranked Senator, having served in different capacities at different times in the national legislature more than any of the other two aspirants. He is affable, approachable and devoid of controversies. He has been in and around the National Assembly more than his contemporaries.
Izunaso started his political career in the National Assembly in 1991 during the short-lived 3rd Republic when he served as the Chief Press Secretary to the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Agunwa Anaekwe. At the inception of the 4th Republic in 1999, he was appointed the Chief Press Secretary to the then Senate President, Chief Evan Enwerem. In 2003, he was elected into the House of Representatives to represent the good people of Oguta/Ohaji Egbema/Oru West Federal Constituency of Imo State.

He was one of the stars of that Assembly. He chaired the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development during his tenure. It is on record that in his capacity as the Chairman, he organized the first ever National Summit on Housing Development in Nigeria. That Summit brought together all the stakeholders in the housing sector in Nigeria to explore and share ideas on how to bridge the housing deficits in the country and also ensuring that all stakeholders comply with the relevant standards in the housing sector.

Following his good works in the House of Representatives, he was elected in 2007 to the Senate to represent Orlu Senatorial District. As a golden fish that has no hiding place in the water, Izunaso was appointed as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas, a very influential Committee. He achieved quite a lot especially in championing indigenous participation in the industry, including the marginal fields. He also championed the issue of local content in the oil and gas sector.

Following the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in which he played a role as a founding member, he was appointed the National Organizing Secretary of the Party. Under his watch as the party manager, the APC defeated the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

None of Izunasos competitors come close with such enviable pedigree. The other two aspirants, Akpabio and Kalu, are political strangers with baggage who allegedly joined the APC to evade prosecution by the EFCC.

Again, Izunaso has no case pending before any of the country’s anti-corruption agencies. He enjoys the support of his State Government led by Senator Hope Uzodimma and the confidence of President Tinubu. Izunaso also is in good standing with his colleagues from across the country. There is no doubt that he would draw from the repertoire of his vast political experience to give the needed stabilizing support to the Tinubu administration.

Above every other consideration, Izunaso has made sacrifices as a core party man who was there at inception unlike the other contestants who rushed to APC to evade prosecution.

Izunaso is the man to beat in this race. And this would be good for the health of the 10th Assembly.

David Chukwu, a Public Affairs Analyst, wrote from Abuja.