Home » NASS leadership: APC sends warning message to Akpabio, Abbas against upset

NASS leadership: APC sends warning message to Akpabio, Abbas against upset

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Akpabio and Abass

Abdullahi Adamu, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, has cautioned the party’s approved candidates for the leadership of the National Assembly to be wary of an uprising during the swearing-in of the 10th legislature.

Adamu urged them to get to the inauguration on time on June 13 during a meeting with Senator Godswill Akpabio, whom he had sponsored for the Senate presidency, and Deputy Senate Presidential Candidate Jibrin Barau.

41 senators were part of a team led by the two front-runners that visited the national secretariat in Abuja to inform the party of the outcome of consultations with other disgruntled aspirants, stakeholders, and senators in the upper chamber.

Senators Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara disobeyed the party’s directive in 2015 by showing up early to compete for leadership positions. They won the seats of Senate President and House Speaker, respectively.

Remembering the events from Tuesday, Adamu emphasized the need to prevent a similar situation from occurring again by stating that “once bitten, twice shy.”

But let me caution you, he replied. Avoid being late. I hope I’m making my point. Avoid being late. Once bitten, twice shy.

One week ago, the APC micro-zoned the job of Senate president to the recently-retired Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the deputy Senate seat to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. This week, the meeting with the NWC will take place.

Tajudeen Abbas, a lawmaker from Kaduna State, was considered a front-runner to become speaker of the House of Representatives.

The party has also spoken with four Senate candidates who are upset and have threatened to rebel against the party’s position if the zoning formula is not changed.

However, the APC national chairman expressed satisfaction over the amount of progress their two nominated candidates for the Senate leadership have achieved before to the 10th Assembly’s inauguration after speaking to Akpabio and his team of 41 senators.

He said: “We did clearly mention in the announcement that we need further and better consultation. We need to deepen consultations to carry many others along. From all you (Akpabio) just said, there is ample evidence that there has been consultation and we will not relent to ensure that, if it were possible, all senators-elect agree. Whatever we do, whatsoever signature we collect, the final decision will be on the floor of the Senate and also the House.

“All these efforts are very good and important but we are in a democracy and people are bound to have opinions and we have no right to stop them. I’m happy that we are heeding the advice and directives we gave to make consultations. I’m happy that it is very fruitful. We shall wait till June 13 on the floor of the House. I want us to have a rancour-free election. Because even if everybody says it is Akpabio or Y or X, the rules of the game say there must be an election.

“Those who are in the Senate are aware of the rules. On the day of the proclamation the president and the clerk make the proclamation. So I do hope and pray that we will carry the day and be victorious. But let me warn you again, don’t be late. I hope I am communicating.”

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