Politics

National Assembly Leadership: Tinubu, APC leaders meet lawmakers-elect in Aso Rock

Published

2 years ago

March 13, 2023

Tinubu, Shettima Visit Buhari In Katsina

Coalition backs North-Central Senate presidency
calls for Adamu’s resignation

Barring any last-minute change, the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will meet with the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima; senators-elect and members of the House of Representatives-elect on its platform, today at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

This was disclosed by the APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, in an invitation sent to Tinubu, Shettima and the lawmakers-elect.

While the meeting is scheduled for 2:00p.m., invited guests were directed to be seated before 12noon, two hours before commencement of the parley.

The guests were also urged to come alone and with the Certificates of Return issued to them by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after they were declared winners in the February 25 polls.

“The meeting is strictly on invitation. All invited guests are expected to arrive early to allow for screening and be seated before 12noon,” the notice stated.

Though agenda of the meeting was not stated, a source who craved anonymity, said the meeting is connected with the leadership of the 10th National Assembly that will be inaugurated in June.

Also to be discussed are issues of zoning of the Senate presidency, Speaker of the House of Representatives and other offices in the National Assembly, such as the Deputy President of the Senate; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives and eight principal positions in both the upper and lower chambers.

The source explained that APC is trying to avoid a situation that played out in 2015, where Senator Bukola Saraki emerged as Senate President against the party’s wish.

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Saraki, who represented Kwara Central Senatorial District in the eighth Assembly, emerged as Senate President when 51 APC senators were at the International Conference Centre waiting for a truce meeting reportedly called by the leadership of the party and President Muhammadu Buhari.

He was elected unanimously by 57 senators present at the session and sworn into office on June 9, 2015 with Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Deputy Senate President.

Meanwhile, indications have emerged that ahead of the zoning of offices of presiding officers for the National Assembly, crisis may be looming in the ruling party as calls for the immediate resignation from office by the National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, heighten.

A group under the aegis of Civil Society Organisations of Conference of Nigeria Civil Rights Activists (CNCRA) has asked Adamu, to, as a matter of urgency, obey calls for his resignation in the interest of equity, fairness and justice, just as it said that his resignation would assuage the feelings of Christians.

The group, in a statement signed yesterday in Abuja by its convener, Pastor Ifeanyi Odili, and Secretary, Sina Akadiri, it said Adamu’s exit, as APC National Chairman, would ensure power balancing in the incoming Tinubu-led administration.

According to the group, Adamu’s resignation would also be a great opportunity for APC to assuage the feelings of Christians towards the same faith arrangement of the party in the recently concluded presidential election.

The group also hailed the National Vice Chairman, Northwest of APC, Salihu Mohammed Lukman, on his call for power balancing in the incoming APC-led government and his call for the resignation of Adamu.

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Recall that Lukman had at the weekend advocated for the replacement of Adamu with a Christian, as part of measures to balance the incoming administration of Tinubu.

As the jostle for allocation of National Assembly leadership gets intense ahead of May 29 inauguration of the new government, the President-elect is being prevailed upon to support the Southeast for the Senate presidency.

Tinubu is billed to table the issue of ceding the seat to the Southeast geopolitical zone at the parley with APC leadership and lawmakers-elect today.

Among those touted to occupy the seat is former Abia State governor and Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

APC founding member, Osita Okechukwu, who confirmed the development, argued that the move was in tandem with the need to entrench equity and fairness in the polity.

Two other APC Senators-elect, Osita Izunaso (Imo) and outgoing Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, are billed to contest the seat with Kalu, notwithstanding his ranking status in the upper legislative chamber.

He said: “It’s strategic to zone the President of the Senate to Southeast, based on equity, fairness and natural justice. Nigeria is on a tripod and since Southeast didn’t get the president or vice, it becomes strategic to start a process of reconciliation and recovery with the zone.

“Agreed, Southeast didn’t vote for the APC; however, the leadership must think of tomorrow. Luckily, we have three Senators-elect, two of whom are in the ranking cadre – Kalu and Izunaso. Let’s choose one of them.

“At least, nobody will blame us that it’s because we did not have any Senator, which was the case in 2015. We, the foundation members of APC, need to be accommodated by our brothers and sisters in other geopolitical zones.” Guardian

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Politics

El-Rufai speaks on report of defection to PDP

Published

1 day ago

January 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai

El-Rufai speaks on report of defection to PDP

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has dismissed claims that he has defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A close associate of the ex-governor informed Channels Television that the allegations are baseless and the work of detractors. The aide emphasized that El-Rufai, as a prominent political figure, would not join the PDP without making such a decision public.

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El-Rufai also addressed the speculation on his verified X account, formerly known as Twitter, urging the public to ignore the rumors and asserting that legal action has been initiated against those spreading falsehoods.

“Please disregard the patent lies and rumours about my political affiliation. I have referred the lead peddlers of the fake news for further action by my lawyers,” El-Rufai posted on Sunday.

El-Rufai speaks on report of defection to PDP

Politics

Delta Gov Oborevwori under fire for hobnobbing with APC

Published

1 day ago

January 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori

Delta Gov Oborevwori under fire for hobnobbing with APC

In Delta State, some PDP elders have queried Governor Sheriff Oborevwori over alleged anti-party activities.

The elders under the aegis of ‘Concerned Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Delta State chapter, urged Oborevwori to either confirm or deny rumours of his alleged romance with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The group, in a statement by Mr. Theophilus Ekiyor, Mr. Ochuko Oghenekome and Mr Ezekiel Chukwudi, also urged the governor to either confirm or deny his defection plan.

The statement reads in part: “The rumour mills are agog with stories of your intention of cross-carpeting to the ruling party at the centre, the APC

“You have been secretly romancing top aides to His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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“Top presidential aides and allies of the president are now working to facilitate a meeting between you and President Tinubu on this self-seeking agenda.

“Your ultimate goal, as pointed out by those close to you, is to obtain approval to join the APC. In this regard, we are deeply troubled by these flying and unconfirmed rumours.

“We, therefore, demand prompt clarification from you to put us in the picture.

“A delayed response could be considered as glaring evidence of your compromised position.”

However, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Festus Ahon, dismissed the query, which he attributed to opposition politicians in the state who are afraid of the governor’s landmarks.

He said: “Those people are not from the PDP. They are elements who want to heat up the polity. The governor is comfortable in his party and has no plan to defect to the APC.”

Delta Gov Oborevwori under fire for hobnobbing with APC

Politics

CNPP urges opposition to unite against Tinubu’s second term

Published

2 days ago

January 5, 2025

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

CNPP urges opposition to unite against Tinubu’s second term

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has sounded a warning over the fractured state of Nigeria’s opposition parties, cautioning that their lack of unity could allow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) to retain power in the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued by Comrade James Ezema, the CNPP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, the organization expressed fears that Nigeria may drift towards a one-party state if opposition parties fail to align their efforts.

“The opposition parties are currently working at cross-purposes, scheming to undo each other ahead of the 2027 presidential election,” Ezema said. “This lack of unity and focus is detrimental to the democratic process and the future of Nigeria.”

The CNPP also advocated for a rotational presidency, emphasizing the need for each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to have a constitutionally guaranteed turn at the presidency. The group believes such a system would promote fairness and ensure stability.

“The presidency must rotate between the northern and southern regions to ensure equitable representation,” Ezema stated. “This is crucial for the long-term stability of our nation.”

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The CNPP underscored the importance of unity among opposition parties if they hope to challenge the APC effectively. “The opposition that can win the 2027 presidential election must be united, strong, focused, purposeful, and daring,” Ezema stressed.

“They must demonstrate a commitment greater than what the APC displayed in 2014.” he noted.

Ezema further described the APC as “a very hard nut for the opposition to crack,” warning that a divided opposition would make the ruling party’s victory inevitable.

While acknowledging President Tinubu’s New Year message, the CNPP urged the President to go beyond rhetoric. “Words alone are not enough. The President must take concrete steps to address the pressing issues facing the nation,” Ezema said

The CNPP called on opposition parties to bury their differences and form a united front to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy. “Unity is not just desirable; it is essential,” Ezema concluded.

As the 2027 elections draw closer, the CNPP’s statement serves as a stark reminder of the stakes involved and the urgent need for political cohesion among opposition parties.