Crisis seems to be brewing in the All Progressives Congress, APC, as its National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu negatived the choices of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas as principal officers.
Akpabio and Abbas on Tuesday announced the presiding officers of the National Assembly at a plenary.
In the majority cacaus of the senate, Akpabio had named Opeyemi Bamidele, Majority Leader; David Umahi Deputy Majority Leader; Mohammed Ali Ndume, Senate Majority Whip; and Lola Ashiru, Deputy Majority Whip.
While Abbas named Julius Ihonvbere, lawmaker representing Owan east/Owan west Federal Constituency of Edo was announced as the majority leader; legislator representing Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro of Kogi, Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims, as deputy majority leader.
The speaker also named Bello Usman Kumo, representing Akko federal constituency of Gombe as the chief whip; and Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo north federal constituency in Ogun, as the deputy chief whip.
Reacting, while addressing governors elected under the banner of the APC, Adamu said the way the officers emerged was unilaterally and went against the grain of the ruling party’s procedure.
According to him, “The election of the principal officers of the Senate by the Senate President and Deputy Senate President. The election of the speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives have been determined and announced and their responsibilities.
“The remaining offices will be determined by the two chambers is yet to be done. I had a courtesy call on Saturday from the President of the Senate and his Deputy. The following which was Sunday, I received the visit by the Speaker and his Deputy Speaker coming to me for Sallah’s homage.
“But, I am just hearing as a rumour now from the online media that there have been some announcements in the Senate and House of Representatives.
“The national headquarters of the party of the NWC has not given any such information or communicated about the choice of offices.
“And until we formally resolve and communicate with them in writing which is the norm and practice, it is not our intention to break away from traditions. So whatever announcement is done either the President of the Senate, Deputy Senate President, Speaker or Deputy Speaker, is not from this secretariat.”
