10th NASS Leadership tussle: APC bows to pressure, promise to consult, revisit zoning arrangement

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) have rescinded its position on choice of candidate and zoning of principal officers for the 10th National Assembly.

The party made the decision when four aggrieved Senators contesting for the senate presidency stormed the National Secretariat of the APC in Abuja, to expressed their grievances on the party’s choice of candidate and zoning arrangement for the next National Assembly leadership.

The Senators are; Abdulaziz Yari, Senator-elect; (Zamfara West) Senator Uzor Kalu, (Abia North) Senator Mohammed Sani Musa; (Niger East) and Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar; (Kwara North).

Recall that some members of the House of Representatives, also visited the party yesterday headquarters on similar issue.

Since the announcement on zoning of principal officers for the 10th National Assembly by the ruling party, many party members have expressed displeasure over the party’s choice.

But addressing the Senators, the National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu assured them that party will look into their complaint and act accordingly.

He said, “We will go back to the drawing board. We owe our party that duty to take a look whether what was done can be changed; what was done needs some changes or reviews.

“Hold the fire until the last word is heard from us. We are the custodians of the party as NWC but we are not acting alone. The voice of the president-elect is an essential voice. We must accommodate him, the best we can. I will not compromise on that.So, he is right now outside the country and by the grace of God when he comes back we will go back to the drawing board and put our heads together again and see what we will get,” he assured.

Earlier, while presenting the letter stating their grievances, the senators, led by Senator-elect (Zamfara West), Abdulaziz Yari, pleaded with the party leadership to have a rethink on the sharing formula of offices in the 10th Assembly.

According Yari, the four Senators came to the party’s headquarters to present a letter of grievances and also to tell the NWC that they are not satisfied with the arrangement, saying that they are expecting a fair play from the party.

He said, “The president-elect got 63.4 percent of the Northern extraction; Where he came from the South, he got 36.6 percent. Atiku Abubakar from Northern Nigeria got 68.8 percent of the total vote and he got from the Southern Nigeria 33.2 percent. So, now if there is anyone who can say we own APC; we own the president-elect in the Northern Nigeria.

“Without undermining any part of the country, they have given their best and we can understand their situation but justice need to be done. We should not be blinded that the power of anyone is absolute but only God is absolute.

“So, whatever decision you are going to take, we are expecting you as a friend that work with the President to tell him not to go there”.

The Senator-elect warned the party to be aware of the danger ahead if the party stand by it decision. He also reminded them of the power of opposition parties in the Senate.

According to him, “Opposition do the nomination and they have their way which is going to be another problem to us. So Mr. chairman, we are not undermining what you are doing but we are doing this for the sake of this party.

“We should all pick our pen today and write it down, anything on the contrary, the Northern Nigeria will take another decision”.

Also speaking at the meeting, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who is also canvasing for the position of the Senate President, advise the party to re- consider its earlier decision.

He also appealed to the party to consider the South-East for a better position in the next administration as this will give them a sense of belonging and create more unity.

He said, “Putting Peoples name is undemocratic, it’s unconstitutional. Three of us sitting here, I have never disobey this party but this is the first time we are going to say no to what the party says; they are not going to do this in the floor of the Senate.

“This is not acceptable to us and we will not want to disrespect the party. So, is earlier enough that we have 18 days to go, it will be better that the party go back to the drawing board and withdraw and come up with consultations and re-zone and publish everything not by name”.

Also, Senator Sani Musa complained bitterly on how the party was not fair to the North Central in terms of considering the region where the National Chairman of the party is coming from.

He urge the party to correct the mistake, consult and carry members along.