In a surprising turn of events, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has disowned the newly announced leadership of the National Assembly, News About Nigeria reports.
Senator Adamu labeled the report as a “rumor” during a crucial meeting of the party’s National Working Committee and APC governors at the party secretariat. He clarified that the party has not officially stated the presiding officers.
The rebuttal from the APC National Chairman comes in response to reports that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had named Ekiti Central lawmaker, Opeyemi Bamidele, as the 10th Senate Majority Leader. Additionally, Senator Dave Umahi from Ebonyi South was announced as the Deputy Majority Leader, Ali Ndume from Borno South as the Chief Whip, and Lola Ashiru from Kwara South as the Deputy Whip.
Addressing the gathering, Senator Adamu expressed his surprise at the announcements made by the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
He stated, “I am just hearing as a rumor now from the online media that there have been some announcements in the Senate and House of Representatives. The national headquarters of the party of the NWC has not given any such information or communicated about the choice of offices. 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 either the President of the Senate, Deputy Senate President, Speaker or Deputy Speaker, is not from this secretariat.”
Senator Adamu further revealed that the party will make an official announcement once the decision on the sharing formula of the principal offices has been determined. He emphasized the importance of adhering to party traditions and norms.
“We are going to formally inform you that we are going to have a caucus. For quite a time, there has been no caucus in place. The caucus has been reconstituted according to the constitution of APC. And we will be discussing that with you as governors, you know your states more than we know it. Even if we come from the same state, the leadership is in you as governors,” he added.
The APC National Chairman also took the opportunity to update the governors on the audit of the party’s account in the last year. The National Working Committee aims to submit the audit report within seven days at the meeting of the National Executive Committee.
As the situation unfolds, it remains uncertain who will assume the principal offices in the National Assembly. The National Advisory Council, along with the caucus, will work together to compile a comprehensive list that ensures representation from every state. The APC Chairman assured the governors that their advice would be sought and the provisions of the party’s constitution would be upheld.
The disavowal by Senator Adamu has sparked further speculation and raised questions about the process of selecting the National Assembly’s leadership. As the APC deliberates on the matter, political observers eagerly await the official announcement that will determine the future direction of the party and the National Assembly.
