There has been much speculation about who will be appointed to key leadership positions in Nigeria’s upcoming 10th National Assembly (NASS), set to be inaugurated in June 2023, News About Nigeria reports.
On Tuesday, a strategic meeting was held in Abuja between Bola Tinubu, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC), and contestants for the positions of Senate President and House of Representatives Speakership.
Multiple sources present at the meeting who preferred to remain anonymous revealed that former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, is the anointed candidate for Senate President, while the senator representing Kano North Senatorial District, Barau Jubrin, is being considered for the position of Deputy Senate President.
Despite Tinubu’s previous statements that he did not have an anointed candidate, the sources at the meeting claimed that Akpabio was favoured due to his contributions to the party.
The former governor was said to have done a lot for the APC, including stepping down from his presidential ambition for Tinubu during the party’s primary elections.
Additionally, Akpabio was credited with delivering parts of the South-South to the president-elect during the February 25 elections.
These factors reportedly contributed to his selection as the favored candidate for Senate President.
Barau Jubrin, on the other hand, was reportedly penciled in for the Deputy Senate President position.
This pairing was described as deliberate, and sources suggest that Jubrin is likely to receive the appointment.
No official announcement has been made yet, however, as the ruling party is expected to release its zoning plan for leadership positions in the 10th National Assembly later this week.
