The National Working Committee (NWC) of All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, nominated former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, for Senate President, and Hon. Tajudeen Abass from Kaduna State for Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The nominations, which followed a consensus deal, confirmed weeks of speculation that the ruling party had zoned the 10th National Assembly’s senate presidency to South-south and Speaker of the House of Representatives to North-west. The agreement also covered other principal positions in the bicameral federal legislature.
However, a cross-section of senators-elect from different political parties rejected external influence in the election of presiding officers for the 10th National Assembly.
The APC leadership reached a resolution on the two key offices in the National Assembly following a meeting of the NWC, held yesterday at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja. The meeting started about 12:30pm and ended about 3:20pm.
Briefing journalists afterwards, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, said the NWC reached a compromise on the zoning arrangement for the 10th National Assembly.
Morka said, “The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) met today, Monday, May 8, 2023 to consider reports of consultations and meetings held with the president-elect, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, other party leaders and stakeholders on zoning arrangement for 10th National Assembly leadership positions.
“The NWC noted with respect the outcome of the meetings held between the president-elect and the leadership of the NWC. The NWC called for further and better consultation with necessary stakeholders in order to assure the support of the aspirants to the National Assembly leadership positions and members of the party nationwide.
“The zoning arrangement reported to the NWC is as follows: Senate President: South-south, Senator Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Deputy Senate President: North-west, Senator Barau Jubrin (Kano); Speaker, House of Representatives, North-west, Hon. Abass Tajudeen (Kaduna); Deputy Speaker, South-east, Hon. Ben Kalu (Abia).
“We urge our party leaders, members, and all Nigerians to continue to work for peace and progress of our country during and beyond the current period of leadership transition.”
Adedayo Akinwale, Sunday Aborisade and Udora Orizu
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