Senator-elect for the Imo North Senatorial District, Patrick Ndubueze, has declared his intention to run for the presidency of the 10th Senate.
Mr. Ndubueze made his intention known in a letter to the ruling National Labor Committee Congress of all progressives (APC).
Mr. Ndubueze, a former member of the House of Representatives, was elected to Parliament in 1992, where he represented the Okigwe federal constituency of Imo State.
The elected senator reaches the Senate for the first time after some 29 years since he left the National Assembly.
With his statement, Mr. Ndubueze becomes the third contender for office from the south-east after Osita Izunaso, also from Imo state and Orji Kalu, who is currently the president of the Senate.
Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, the region’s senator-elect, withdrew from the race.
Other candidates for the position include a former governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio, Jibrin Barau (Kano), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Ali Ndume (Borno) and Sani Musa (Niger).
Newslodge had previously reported that Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje announced that the internal committee of the APC resolved to place the president of the Senate in the South-South zone in favor of Mr. Akpabio.
Focus and support leader
In the letter, Mr. Ndubueze said that the Senate right now needs focused, people-focused, calm and supportive leadership and that he possesses those qualities.
“Now, regarding the current realities in this time that requires sensitive leadership in the Senate in the molds of: A Focused Leadership, A People-Centered, Calm and Caring Leadership.
“Having been persuaded of my record as a high-ranking legislator, a politician of over 35 years and a personal character who has stood the test of time for integrity and commitment to the people, I, Eng. Patrick Ndubueze, being a high-ranking member of the National Assembly, I wish to offer myself to run for the office of President of the Senate of the Tenth National Assembly with a strong belief in my ability to perform the leadership roles required at this time.”
He asked for the support of the party leadership for the position.
“Sir, I am confident that you will bless my stated aspiration with your active support through proper mentoring, advice and networking, to ensure that this noble cause sees the light of day,” he said.
“While I await your kind acceptance of my declaration of intent, sir, please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards,” the letter reads.
The senator-elect also wrote to his colleagues to request their approval and support.
In the letter, Ndubueze said he had consulted critical stakeholders extensively before declaring his ambition.
“Distinguished Senator, for the past 32 years I have remained committed to the good cause of the Nigerian project. And I have always been persuaded that our sovereign progress, which includes the desired progressions of millions of Nigerians, is best enabled through the implementation of well-designed legislations that are overseen by an informed and motivated National Assembly political chief who is equipped for thoroughness, restraint, and a vision-driven compassion.
“It is for these reasons, and their fulfillment, Distinguished Senator, that I have decided to declare my intention to contest the office of President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I do not treat this statement lightly, Distinguished Senator. In fact, I have been in a flurry of consultations with critical stakeholders across our country with positive praise,” he said.
He called on his colleagues to give him the opportunity to speak with them physically after the order.
“This letter to your good self is a continuation of the consultation I have embarked on, for which I hope I will take some time to meet with you physically, even as I now seek your support and advice as we proceed. the day of the election of the main officials of the National Assembly.
“While I deeply appreciate the opportunity for this engagement, distinguished senator, please accept my sincerest regards for your good nature,” Mr. Ndubeze said.