Former presidential candidate of the NCP, Dele Momodu, believes that former Kwara State Governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, stands a better chance of becoming Nigeria’s Senate President.
He shared this view on Channels Television’s Politics Today during a conversation on the structure of the incoming government in Nigeria and setting its agenda.
While admitting that former Benue State Governor, George Akume is another top contender for the position, he said that Saraki is a much younger and vibrant politician who hails from one of the APC’s strongest holds, Kwara State.
“Saraki appeals to a lot of us younger folks because the next Senate is going to have maybe about 20 or more governors who are Senators. So we need a man who understands them very well.
“I remember when Saraki was Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, he was able to hold the forum very well, he was able to carry his colleagues along in policies and in so many other ways.
“He’s a man who has schooled at home and abroad and for me we are going to need a lot of that at this time.
“Nigeria has gone through so much in the past. So we need men who can hit the ground running. Not just politicians but people with extensive global networks and I think Saraki has that.”
He added that the incumbent Senate President, David Mark should not be ruled out of contention as he might be interested in retaining his position.
He, however, expressed doubts that the All Progressives Congress, APC would allow that when they have a majority in the Senate.
Mr Momodu also shared his views on the leadership of the House of Representatives.
“One name you cannot ignore today is Femi Gbajabiamila. Femi made his name in the House of Reps for being very vocal (and) very powerful. He rises up to the occasion, he does not shy away from doing what is expected of him as a legislator,” he said.
On the position of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Momodu expects this to be between the South-East and South-South region of the country.
“There may be two people that will come up. The first, of course, will be the Director-General of the Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation, and that is the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi.
“If you go to the South-East, you’re likely to be talking about Dr Chris Ngige, (who is) also a former governor and a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Momodu noted that he had written an article published in the dailies in which he stated his expectations and named persons he felt would be right to be in the cabinet of the new government.
According to him, there are major ministerial positions he also expects the new government to take seriously.
“APC, I believe is blessed with a lot of very great minds. Of course Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State will be available to serve that government because his tenure as Governor will be expiring on May 29.
“I don’t see how anybody is going to ignore such a man,” he said.
The publisher also advised President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to “look beyond APC” and pick Nigerians from any part of the world who have distinguished themselves.
“We need men of accomplishment, we need women of solid characters,” he said, adding that former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke is one of such persons.
He also said that all geopolitical zones in the country must be represented in the new cabinet “whether they voted for you or not”.
