- Governors of the APC have reportedly endorsed Senator Ahmad Lawan’s for the Senate presidency in the 9th National Assembly
- Senator Lawan is the party’s and President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice for the job
- He is however, facing stiff resistance from Senator Ali Ndume from Borno state
Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have reportedly endorsed Senator Ahmad Lawan’s for the Senate presidency in the 9th National Assembly.
According to The Nation, some of them last night met in Abuja on how to push “the Lawan agenda.”
Lawan is the party’s and President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice for the job, but is facing stiff resistance from Senator Ali Ndume from Borno state.
Lawan was at the meeting, which was said to be part of steps to keep APC caucuses united ahead of the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly.
READ ALSO: Senate presidency: APC senators-elect move against party’s choice
The meeting was geared towards selling Lawan’s candidature to all senators-elect, irrespective of political parties; and debunk the notion that Lawan is being imposed.
It was gathered that upon endorsement of Lawan by the party last week, the president mandated members to “sell the qualities of the nominee to Nigerians, especially senators-elect.”
One of the organisers of the meeting, who spoke on the issue, said: “The meeting was informed by the directive of the president to the governors to see the Lawan agenda through in the interest of the country.
“We want to change the narrative being sponsored by the opposition PDP that Lawan’s choice and zoning amounted to imposition.
“Most senators-elect may not be aware that the president actually raised an eight-man search team which recommended Lawan and a few others.
“It was after weighing options that the president opted for Lawan. It is not a case of the Executive breathing down on senators-elect and members of the House of Representatives-elect.
“The governors met with Lawan on how to project his inherent qualities, especially his rich legislative experience, and the need to build inter-party confidence/ collaboration before the 9th National Assembly is inaugurated.
“We do not want the race for the office of the President of Senate to be beclouded by sentiments. This is the time of merit and we want to stick out our neck for these candidates we have recommended.”
On his part, Ndume is said to be planning to formally present a nine-point agenda this week.
APC leaders are said to be persuading Ndume not to go against Lawan because “the president and the party have spoken.”
On Ndume, a senator-elect said: “Although a strategist of the president has had audience with him, he is unrelenting in his ambition to contest for the seat.
“As at Saturday, Ndume has presented his nine-point agenda to senators and senators-elect who are backing him.
“The agenda will be presented to the public any time this week. What Ndume told his supporters was that if he is the only senator left in the race, he will vie for the office against Lawan. He said it is either he wins or loses.
“He is embittered that after sticking out his neck to defend Buhari’s government, he is being sidelined. And he complained against the way the national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, allegedly breathed down on senators-elect last Monday in the presence of the president on the choice of Lawan.”
PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news updates
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the APC, have been cautioned against subjecting the control of the National Assembly to certain individuals.
This was the position of the senator representing Abia South senatorial district, Enyinnaya Abaribe, who is also a member of the PDP.
Abaribe said the parliament will not sit back and allow anyone impose presiding officers, insisting that only elected senators, who are duly certified, would vote when the time comes.
NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service!
No lawmaker is in the House of Assembly for the people - on Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
