The race for the seat of the Senate President continues and as the day unfolds certain events have rocked the National Assembly leaving huge cracks in the respective parties involved which has also led to the creation of new alliances all in a bid to clinch the number 3 position in the country. Another move in the National Assembly between the APC and the PDP has raised eyebrows among the parties involved.
Against Adams Oshiomole’s wish, Senator Ahmed Lawan, The Senate Majority Leader and All Progressives Congress candidate for the Senate presidency in the 9th National Assembly has solicited help from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in a bid to clinch the position of Senate President.
This move came contrary to the statement made earlier on by the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole, that the PDP’s influence is irrelevant and won’t be needed for its candidate, Ahmed Lawan to emerge the winner in the race for the Senate President. Lawan’s adoption by the ruling party’s National Working Committee has divided the party, with Senators Ali Ndume (Borno) and Danjuma Goje (Gombe) insisting on contesting the post despite the APC’s position.
Adams Oshiomole had cautioned earlier against any power-sharing deal with the opposition party. The APC said all committees in the Senate would be chaired by the APC senators but going against his instruction, Ahmed Lawan met with three PDP governors during the week to seek their support.
According to PUNCH, Ahmed Lawan met separately with the Governors of Sokoto, Delta, Imo state; Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and governor-elect Emeka Ihedioha respectively in Abuja.
Information from a source who was part of the meeting showed that Lawan complained about Adams Oshiomole’s comments on the opposition party, PDP, which he said had affected his chances of garnering support from the opposition party.
It is however not clear whether the Yobe lawmaker made any commitment to a power-sharing deal with the PDP.
“It was just to reassure PDP stakeholders of his readiness to work and cooperate with them, nothing more,” the source said.
The spokesman for the Lawan-for-Senate President Campaign Organisation, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, also confirmed that the Senate Leader met with some governors.
Abdullahi, who is also the spokesperson for the Senate, described the meetings with the governors as “successful”. However, he did not give details of the meeting or disclose the identities of the governors that Lawan met with.
He said, “We have spoken to many governors, including Kashim Shettima (of Borno State) when he visited Lawan’s campaign secretariat.
According to him, many of the governors were pleased with their agenda for the 9th Senate and they all pledged their support. He added that if Senator Ahmed Lawan is elected Senate president, he will run an all-inclusive government because the Senate is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to him, many opposition senators pledged their support and promised to vote for Lawan as they are convinced he will not sideline them.
He said, “I can confirm to you that on the day of inauguration Lawan will garner more than two-thirds majority support from members-elect from both APC and PDP. We are talking to our colleagues; we are working on the people who will vote on the day of inauguration.”
Contrary to reports, the spokesman for Ihedioha, Chibuike Onyeukuwu, denied any meeting between his principal and Lawan.
Both Tambuwal and Okowa could not be reached for comments as of press time. But the PDP on Friday said it had yet to decide whether its governors would support Lawan. Also, the PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr Diran Odeyemi, on Friday said the party still had some months of consultations before it would take a stand.
He said, “The PDP definitely has its own joker, and as a responsible party, will look at all options. We still have a few months of horse-trading and consultations to weigh our options and adopt the best democratic practice. This is politics and the party will definitely take a stand at the appropriate time.”
What are your thoughts on the latest strategic move by Ahmed Lawan who is APC’s chosen candidate? Kindly drop your opinion in the comment section below and don’t forget to share.
SOURCE: PUNCH