10th Assembly: Uncertainty looms over leadership as members-elect await Tuesday inauguration
…Stakeholders fear fractional 10th Assembly, as President calls for harmony
…Put Nigeria first, work to choose good leaders – Tinubu to lawmakers
…Dicey outcome puts tough time before Akpabio
…Tribal leaders reject Yari on religious grounds, rally support for Akpabio
…Tinubu resolute on APC zoning — Abbas-Kalu campaign
By Moses Adeniyi
Although Tuesday, next week, has been set for the official inauguration of the 10th National Assembly (NASS), politics around the leadership of the Assembly still pose more uncertainties than the official position of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), raising fear over unity of the chambers upon inauguration.
Ahead of the inauguration, President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, in Abuja, tasked lawmakers to put the nation first and downplay party politics in the discharge of their duties.
Tinubu has been in series of meetings with the lawmakers and other stakeholders in efforts to have an Assembly in harmony with the plans of his administration.
At the Thursday engagement, when he met a joint session of the National Assembly comprising senators and members of the House of Representatives across all political parties, at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, he called on the lawmakers to work together to choose “good leaders” for the 10th National Assembly.
Tinubu who charged the lawmakers to put the interest of their constituencies first, promised to run an open-door system in which the lawmakers can assess him without hindernace on matters of national importance and good governance.
Present at the meeting were the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, Senate President Ahmed Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila,
Also amongst the attendees were the former Governor of Akwa Ibom and front-runner in the Senate Presidency race, Godswill Akpabio, former governors of Ebonyi, Dave Umahi and Edo, Adams Oshiomhole.
Also were the endorsed speakership candidate of the APC, Tajudeen Abbas, Sani Bello, Aliyu Wammako, amongst others.
However, former Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’Aziz Yari and Deputy Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase, were absent in the meeting.
It has been reported that both Yari and Wase are eyeing the seat of Senate Presidency and Speakerpship of the House of Representatives against the choice of the ruling APC which has endorsed Akpabio and Abass respectively.
Sources privy to the meeting on Thursday disclosed the President spoke more of a united house, than clearly selling a candidate of choice.
Although the APC had officially declared its preferred candidates for both the seat of Senate Presidency and Deputy as well as Speakership of the House of Representatives for both the upper and the lower chambers of the National Assembly, the politics around the choices have raised dust with blocs opposed to the micro-zoning arising to run with their interest.
The 10th National Assembly will be inaugurated on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 10:00 a.m, according to an announcement, signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Tambawal, on Thursday.
“The senators-elect and members-elect of the House of Representatives are to visit the Senate conference room 231 and the House of Representatives conference room 301, respectively, with copies of their code of conduct clearance, certificates of return and valid identity cards for registration on Monday, June 12, at 10:00 am.
“Due to the ongoing renovation of the two chambers, senators-elect and Honourable members-elect are to come along with only one guest for the ceremony, who will be seated at the arcade,” the statement read.
Tambawal further added that only senators-elect and members-elect will be given access to the chambers on Tuesday.
…Uncertainty looms as leadership choices divide members-elect
Although the official date of the ceremony has been divulged, the choice of leadership still poses more uncertainties.
For instance, the politics of support around the APC anointed candidate for the Senate President seat, Akpabio has gathered conflicting development in the past few days with reports that Senators-elect earlier behind him are in numbers joining alternative choices.
However, while argument from some quarters has emerged that President Tinubu has no anointed candidate against what is widely reported, Senator Ali Ndume Wednesday night on Channels Television’s Politics Today, insisted the President told him that Senator Akpabio is his preferred candidate for the President of the 10th Senate.
Ndume who is representing Borno South at the Senate also said that the President won’t change his stance on the leadership of the 10th Senate.
Against the position of the party there has been strong competition from the camp of the former governor of Zamfara State, Yari, but Ndume revealed that 75 out of 109 members have already queued behind the ambition of Akpabio as of today.
“As of today, I am telling you we have 75 senators. All advantages are on our side. We have the support of the party, we have the support of the president, and most importantly we have the support of most of the senators. These senators signed up to endorse our programme,” Ndume had said.
Ndume who expressed confidence in the capacity of the Akpabio camp to win election, however did not rule out surprises that could spring up from some lawmakers who may drift at the last minute.
“Let’s say that some people will jump over at the last minute, that can happen, but I am very confident. I don’t want to be overconfident because people can change their minds, but we have a better candidate.
“We have two candidates that are in front now, that is Yari and Akpabio and our candidate has all the advantages over the other candidate, politically and intellectually, we have an added advantage,” he said.
Akpabio may be challenged with a tough time as against his candidacy rises, having still before him the weight of the likes of the Chief Whip of the 9th Senate and former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to contend with.
On the side of oposition, an Akwa Ibom group under the aegis of Coalition for Better Nigeria Under Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a letter addressed to the three senators from Akwa Ibom State including Akpabio, called on President Tinubu and the Senators-elect to consider Kalu and elect him as the next President of the Senate.
According to the letter issued on Wednesday, signed by its coordinator, Solomon Akpan, the group had said: “We write to congratulate you on your election as Senators representing the three Senatorial (geopolitical) districts of Akwa Ibom. We deem it as well deserved and a call for duty. We count on you to help Mr. President to serve Nigerians well and bring about the unity of the country.
“From Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Capital, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all Senators-elect and wish them the best legislative experience. As the National Assembly will be inaugurated on 13th June 2023, our Coalition and indeed the masses of Akwa Ibom State solicit your support to elect Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia State elected under the platform of APC who hails from South East as President of the Senate. We consider this call as a patriotic duty which we owe to stabilize Nigeria and set the tone for the healing, restoration of peace and stability in the South East.
“Orji Uzor Kalu is a seasoned politician, well experienced and exposed to the workings of the Senate of the Federal Republic. He has been an uncompromising pillar of support to President Tinubu and the APC as a party.
“South East over the years has remained a stronghold of opposition until the intervention of His Excellency, Senator Kalu and other stakeholders in the zone and today, APC can boast of more vote than ever and six Senators from the zone in the about to be formed Senate.
“We consider His Excellency, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as the national consensus that every stakeholder must embrace because of the long-term benefits Nigeria will get especially in working with the new government to resolve the Biafra agitation and question of exclusion which the South East zone has complained of in the last administration.
“Most respectfully, let Senators vote for the unity, oneness and progress of Nigeria. We thank and congratulate you once again.”
…Tribal leaders reject Yari on religious grounds, rally support for Akpabio
Meanwhile, in support of Akpabio, a pro-democracy and anti-sabotage group, known as The Natives, has asked Yari to immediately withdraw his Senate Presidency ambition in the interest of peace and religious harmony.
The Natives, which is a platform for leaders of various ethnic nationalities said Nigeria is a secular state and therefore cannot have a Muslim President, Vice President and Senate President and Speaker at the same time.
Addressing a news conference Thursday in Abuja, Supreme Leader of the group, Hon. Smart Edwards, said for equity and fairness, a Christian like Senator Akpabio should be allowed to lead the 10th Senate.
He urged stakeholders to respect the choice of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party on the need to have a balanced religious representation in government.
Edwards asked all new and returning Senators to support the emergence of the former governor of Akwa Ibom state as Senate President.
“Nigeria is a secular state and the Senator Godswill Akpabio/Barau ticket represents the consideration of the mood of the country, an evidence of healing rather than the braggadocio and display of strength or the coronation of religious dominance by some.
“We cannot toy with the expensive portrayal of acts that can widen the divide of the people after the elections.
“While it is politically permissible, we persuade the 10th Assembly to dissociate themselves from any political, financial and insensitive approach or act that will promote a Muslim for the office of the Senate President for this is a display of national sabotage.
“While the ruling party may have presented its candidates, we appreciate its efforts to assuage other regions and make sacrifices to see a pan Nigerian, nationalistic, equitable and fair balance of the spirit and letters of our constitution
“The plethora of disruptions and carryover of pre-election bitterness, resistance and echoes from the people is a clear indication that no group whatsoever should be seen fanning the embers of discord just because they have the financial war chest.
“We say ‘No’ to Sen. Yari’s ambition and appeal to him in the name of our dear country to, please, shelve this ambition for all and become the hero,” he said.
…Wase challenge against Abbas
Meanwhile on the chances of Abbas for the Speakership position, the politics with the Deputy Speaker of the 9th Assembly, Wase, may be posing challenges, though reports of stronger support on the former’s part have emerged.
Tinubu resolute on APC zoning — Abbas-Kalu campaign
In response to speculations that President Tinubu may not have any anointed candidate, the Abbas/Kalu Campaign secretariat has said the President, at his meeting with members-elect of the Senate, was firm on the zoning plan of the APC on the 10th National Assembly.
Recall Tinubu had on Wednesday met with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and 10th Senate members-elect, including aspirants for seat of the President of the 10th Senate who are aggrieved with the APC plan
The Abbas/Kalu Campaign secretariat in a statement issued on Thursday, said the President does not have plans to dump the candidates adopted by the APC for 10th Assembly leadership.
The statement was titled, ‘10th Assembly: Tinubu Remains Firm on APC’s Endorsed Candidates…Appeals to Governors, Lawmakers-elect to Work for Party’s Candidates…as Wase, Jaji Boycott Meeting with President.’
The Abbas/Kalu campaign claimed that most of the G-7 members who are opposed to APC candidates have stepped down after Tinubu intervened in the matter.
The statement read: “On Wednesday night, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with senators-elect and members-elect of the APC at the Presidential Villa. APC governors and other leaders of the party were in attendance.
“Tinubu spoke firmly on the need to work for the victory of the APC’s candidates for the 10th NASS leadership. He appealed/begged them to work for Akpabio, Abbas, Barau and Kalu. He said the success of his administration largely depends on whether or not he gets it right with the leadership of the National Assembly. He urged them to see reason with him. He said the candidates were chosen for the stability of the nation.
“Aspirants for Speaker such as Muktar Betara, Gagdi, Miriam, Sada Soli were present. But Ahmed Idris Wase and Aminu Sani Jaji were conspicuously absent, although they got an invitation for the meeting.
“Wase had said during the House valedictory session on Wednesday that he would go ahead to contest for the Speaker’s seat because it has been prophesised that he would become Speaker. There is likelihood that only Wase would go to the floor to contest, while others may step down after the President’s appeal.”
Meanwhile, reports have emerged that one of the vocal voices and a fourth-term member-elect, Rt. Hon. Abiodun Akinlade has thrown his weight behind the candidature of Abbas.
Akinlade, a member-elect representing Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency from Ogun State said that he decided to openly canvass support for Abbas having reckoned with his legislative pedigree and track records.
The lawmaker, who is a notable member of National Working Committee of SWAGA, the group that pioneered the Presidential campaign of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described Abbas as a quiet but resourceful personality, said: “Abbas possesses the experience and knowledge to steer the ship of the 10th Assembly to legislative excellence. I call on my colleagues to support him for a rancour-free Assembly.”
While calling on other aspirants to close ranks with Abbas to emerge the Speaker, Akinlade urged him to extend the hands of fellowship to his co-contestants for the purpose of having a united house to deliver on the mandate given by the Nigerians.
Reports have shown that barely four days to the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly where the presiding officers of the House of Representatives will be elected, 106 members-elect from the North West geopolitical zone have signed in for the speakership candidature of Abbas and Ben Kalu for deputy speaker.
Reportedly, 72 members-elect from the North Central zone have equally penned down their names in support of the candidature, tagged the Tajudeen Ben Kalu (TBK) project.
The development has shown that the outcome of different meetings that held separately in Abuja for North West lawmakers and for North-Central lawmakers, the TBK project has reportedly gathered more support base.
However, meeting with other zones of South-South and North-East as well as those of South-East and South-Wesy have posed suspense.
It was gathered that President Tinubu reportedly appealed to APC Governors at the Wednesday night meeting when he met with Senators-elect and Members-elect of the APC at the Presidential Villa, to work in support of the election of the annointed candidates of the party.
Recall that the National Working Committee of the APC had on May 8, 2023, officially released the zoning formula for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, announcing the choices of Godswill Akpabio (Akwa-Ibom/South-South) for President of the Senate; Jibrin Barau (Kano/North-West) for Deputy President of the Senate; Tajudeen Abbas (Kaduna/North-West) for Speaker; and Benjamin Kalu (Abia/South-East) for Deputy Speaker.
The development which didn’t go down well with a number of aspirants had generated mixed reactions, with some abdicating their interest for the party’s position, while others have remained resolute to run against what has been tagged the party’s ‘micro-zoning’ position.
For the House of Representatives is the G-7 which includes the incumbent Deputy Speaker Ahmed Wase; Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, Yusuf Gagdi; Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Aliyu Betara; Chairman, House Committee on Water Resources, Sada Soli; Chinedu Ogah, Miriam Onuoha and Sani Jaji, who are on the opposition camp against the party’s choice.
In the Senate, the aggrieved aspirants for seat of the President of the Senate include the the Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu; former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari; Senator Sani Musa from Niger State; and Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo State).
Against all odds, the APC candidates and their aggrieved opponents have continued to pitch the tent of policking to woo members from opposition camp, while working to build support base from new members-elect who are about 70 per cent following the outcome of the last election which several lawmakers lost their seats to return.
The development has led to fractional camps in blocs of lawmakers ahead of the Tuesday inauguration of the 10th Assembly where the fate of the contestants would be determined.
The heated policking has raised fears over how to harmonise the chambers of the National Assembly upon inauguration, following the fractional divisions over the leadership tussle.
