After consulting with President-elect Bola Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee has selected Godswill (Akwa Ibom) Akpabio and Tajudeen Abass (Kaduna) as the next Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th National Assembly.
They also appointed Senator Barau Jubrin (Kano) as Deputy Senate President, and Hon. Benjamin Kalu (Abia) as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
It called for more consultation with relevant stakeholders in order to ensure aspirants for National Assembly leadership positions’ support.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) has nominated Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) and Tajudeen Abass (Kaduna) as the next Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th National Assembly.
The NWC also appointed Senator Barau Jubrin (Kano) as Deputy Senate President, and Hon. Benjamin Kalu (Abia) as House of Representatives Deputy Speaker.
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This was revealed in a statement issued on Monday by the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, following a meeting of the NWC where the zoning arrangement for the National Assembly leadership was discussed.
The NWC deliberated on the results of consultations and meetings with President-Elect Bola Tinubu and other stakeholders on the zoning arrangement for the 10th National Assembly.
More consultation is required.
Morka stated that the NWC requested more and better consultation with relevant stakeholders in order to ensure the support of National Assembly leadership aspirants and party members across the country.
The party urged its leaders, members, and all Nigerians to continue working for the country’s peace and progress during and after the current leadership transition.
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What you should be aware of
In a related development, the outgoing Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, revealed that Godwill Akpabio would be Nigeria’s next Senate President, saying that the position is already a done deal with the South-South region zoned.
Meanwhile, the South-East Senate caucus yesterday warned President-elect Bola Tinubu of the grave consequences of zoning and endorsing a candidate for the position of Senate President from the South-South without regard for the South-East, as such a move will undoubtedly serve as a recipe for injustice, leading to restiveness.
The advice was contained in a communiqué read on behalf of the caucus by Senator Ifeanyi Uba following a meeting in Abuja.
Uba stated that lawmakers are pleading with the President-elect to be sensitive to the times in Nigeria and ensure that the country thrives on the basis of equity, unity, and fairness.
Prior to the 10th National Assembly’s inauguration on June 13, about ten senators-elect expressed interest in the Senate Presidency, with some of them actively lobbying the president-elect and other stakeholders.
Aside from Akpabio, others in the race include Osita Izunaso, a senator representing Imo West Senatorial District; Uzor Orji Kalu, the Senate chief whip; Barau Jibrin, chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation; Ahmad Lawan, incumbent Senate president; Danjuma Goje, former governor of Gombe; Adams Oshiomhole, former Edo State governor, former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger), Dave Umahi, outgoing Governor of Ebonyi state, among others.
Governor Umahi, on the other hand, was reported to have dropped out of the race and declared his support for Godswill Akpabio.
Top APC lawmakers vying for the speakership include Ado Doguwa of Kano State, Yusuf Gagdi of Plateau State, and Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase of Plateau State, the current Deputy Speaker, among many others.