Sen.-Elect And Rep.-Elect Move For Open Seats In The 10th NASS

Plans by the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, to impose leadership on the 10th National Assembly through its National Working Committee, NWC, look to be causing the party further issues as some MPs have called for an open race are lining up to challenge the party.

This occurred when the party was ripping itself apart over the issue sparked by the NWC’s proposed zoning formula.

Yesterday, several speakership candidates felt misled by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the APC’s national chairman, when he asked them to “slow down” their campaigns and provide time for talks.

However, the APC has pleaded with resentful candidates and groups to allow the party more time to resolve their issues.

The NWC selected Senators Godswil Akpabio and Jibrin Barau on Monday and allocated the Senate Presidency and Deputy Senate Presidency to the South-South and North-West. Additionally, it assigned Tajudeen Abass and Ben Kalu to the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively, for the North-West and South-East zones. The party claimed that the individuals chosen were also Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s picks for president.

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Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State, criticized the zoning pattern yesterday, claiming that eliminating the North-Central zone fosters unfairness and inequity.

To address the situation, he encouraged the NWC to call a meeting of the National Executive Committee.

While rejecting Akpabio and Abass, several senators and representatives-elect took action to ensure fair elections.

In fact, several of the G7 candidates for speaker, who called the zoning pattern a “Lagos affair,” have begun courting the newly elected members of the 181 opposition parties with offers of the deputy speakership and the chairmanship of “juicy” committees.

In contrast, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has met with the “Joint Task” group and other APC supporters to support Abbas, who is reaching out to other candidates.