The Presidency and All Progressives Congress (APC) governors are in support of the principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives announced on Tuesday, it was learnt.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, distanced itself from the announcement. The national chairman of APC, Abdullahi Adamu, said the NWC was not aware of the emergence of principal officers of the 10th National Assembly.
Adamu chided the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for announcing the names of principal officers without getting clearance from him.
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Those announced are Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Deputy Leader David Umahi, Chief Whip Ali Ndume, Deputy Whip Lola Ashiru, Minority Leader Simon Mwadkwon, Deputy Minority Leader Oyewunmi Olalere, Minority Chief Whip Darlington Nwokeocha and Deputy Minority Whip Rufai Hamga.
For the House of Representatives: House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, Deputy House Leader Abdullahi Halims, Chief Whip Usman Kumo, Deputy Whip Adewunmi Onanuga.
Minority House Leader Kingsley Chinda, Deputy House Leader Ali Madaki, Minority House Chief Whip Ali Isa and Deputy Whip George Ozodinobi.
It was also learnt that the National Assembly may present its principal officers to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu today at the Aso Villa.
Investigation showed that the Senate leadership presented the list of principal officers to Adamu on Sunday for his support during a meeting with him on his farm in his hometown Keffi, Nasarawa State.
But his alleged delay in sending a notice to the National Assembly on the list of principal officers created tension.
It was confirmed that the presidency, APC governors and some party leaders participated actively in arriving at a “win-win” formula.
APC governors disagreed with the party chairman, saying that the announcement of principal officers by Senator Akpabio and Abbas at plenaries enjoyed their support.
During a meeting with members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) led by its Chairman, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Adamu alleged that the National Working Committee (NWC) was not carried along.
Adamu said: “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 and the NWC have not received any such information or communicated its choice of officers.
“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 by either the President of the Senate, Deputy Senate President, Speaker or Deputy Speaker, is not from this secretariat.”
Uzodimma, who spoke with reporters, faulted the national chairman’s position, maintaining that the National Assembly leadership enjoys the support of APC governors.
“If there is any way that there is a communication gap anywhere, we will make it up and we have our internal mechanism of resolving such things.
“The National Assembly leadership enjoys the support of the Progressives Governors Forum and our party. We don’t have any problem at all.”
Other governors at the meeting were Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abdulrahman AbdulRasak (Kwara), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Rev. Hyacient Alia (Benue), Diko Rada (Katsina), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Francis Ogobona Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), and Umar Namadi (Jigawa).
