As Nigeria prepares for the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that it seeks a Senate President who understands the needs of the party and its supporters, News About Nigeria reports.
Joe Igbokwe, an APC chieftain in Lagos State and aide to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made this statement on Wednesday while emphasizing the party’s desire for a candidate who would not replicate the actions of Bukola Saraki, the former Senate President, who joined the opposition party after his emergence.
Igbokwe expressed concern that another Saraki-like emergence would make President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu waste another four years. He made this known on his Facebook page, where he called on the party to choose wisely in their selection process.
Currently, the front runners for the Senate Presidency include Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North), Ali Ndume (Borno South), Akpabio Godswill (Akwa-Ibom North), Orji Uzoh Kalu (Abia North), Jibrin Barau (Kano-North), and Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger-East).
This development has generated reactions from various quarters, with many calling for a transparent selection process.
Some also believe that the Senate Presidency should be zoned to the South-East, considering that the region has never produced a Senate President in the history of the country and the Muslim president and vice president.
While some political analysts have predicted that Ahmed Lawan will retain his position as Senate President, others believe that the party may consider the North-East as compensation for their loss of the speakership position in the House of Representatives.
In the 9th National Assembly, Ahmed Lawan emerged as the Senate President after defeating Ali Ndume, who was also a top contender.
Lawan’s emergence was attributed to his loyalty to the party and his cordial relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, some political analysts have expressed concerns over the manner of emergence of the Senate President and the need for a more democratic process. They believe that the selection process should be transparent and devoid of any form of imposition or influence.
