Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, says he will appoint his aides from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, Igbere TV reports.
This, he said, is in “furtherance of the All Progressives Congress’ unity agenda and the determination to involve youth in governance.”
Omo-Agege spoke while addressing some personalities and members of the Youth Progressive Initiative in Northern Nigeria.
Igbere TV reports that the group had organized a reception in the Senator’s honour in Abuja.
Omo-Agege said: “There is no state in the north where I don’t have an aide, there is no state in the South-West where I don’t have an aide; this is because the office of the Deputy President of the Senate is a national one.”
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, which was sent to Igbere TV, “the decision of the northern group to honour Senator Omo-Agege was an expression of solidarity with his patriotic and nationalist stance to issues that concern the progress of Nigeria.”
On his part, Omo-Agege urged the youths to shun all form of regional, religious and ethnic sentiments, saying, “youth of this country, this country belongs to you; if you want a country where you are seen as a northerner or southerner that is the country you will get but if you want a country where you are seen as a Nigerian, then that is exactly what you will get.”
Igbere TV gathered that prominent citizens at the event include a former Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senator Gbemisola Saraki.
In his speech, former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, described Omo-Agege as a patriotic Nigerian who believes in loyalty to party and constituted authority.
“It must have come as a big surprise to emerge as the Deputy President of the Senate, you are a man that believes in loyalty,” he said.
He added that Omo-Agege’s emergence was “a clear indication that what God has ordained to happen cannot be stopped by any plot of man.”
Senator Akpabio also called on the Deputy President of the Senate to ensure that the appointment of committee chairmen in the Senate is evenly spread among all geopolitical zones in the country.
On her part, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, who represented Kwara Central in the 6th Senate, described Omo-Agege as “a principled, disciplined and determined person.”
The former lawmaker expressed optimism that the 9th Senate will perform very well under the leadership of Senators Ahmad Lawan and Ovie Omo-Agege.
