NASS Tussle: APC Governors Wade In; Convene To Resolve Row

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, Politics Monday, June 8th, 2015

By Ganiyu NasirudeenN- Pressured by possibility of unexpected outcome, the ruling APC Governors had waded into the raging crises among the party’s candidates jostling for the National Assembly leadership.

To this end, a meeting of the party’s Governors initiated by the Imo State’s helmsman, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has been slated for 8.00pm, Monday at the Imo official Lodge, Asokoro, FCT Abuja.

Already, notice to this effect has been sent to the APC Governors.

Text of the Notice reads: “Your Excellency, I am directed to invite you to emergency meeting of Progressive Governors scheduled to hold as follows: Time: 8.00 pm; Date: Monday, June 8, 2015; Venue: Imo Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja; Agenda: National Assembly Matters, A. O. B”. HE Owelle Rochas Okorocha appealed that Your Excellences please create time to attend both this important meeting in order to find amicable resolutions of all contentious issues.”

The emerging NASS leadership row within APC took a serious dimension last weekend, when Saturday, the party’s NWC conducted a mock primaries, after which Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila from Lagos emerged the party’s candidate for House Speakership, while Senators Ahmed Lawan and George Akume, from Borno and Benue respectively, were elected for the Senate Presidency and its Deputy positions.

However, the aggrieved senior lawmakers and supporters of another APC contender, Senator Bukola Saraki, under the Unity Forum and the Like Minds Group, faulted the exercise, therefore, distanced themselves and maintained they would not associate with any undemocratic process.

As the resentment persists despite the weekend olive branch by the APC National Secretary, Hon. Mai Mala Bun, to the aggrieved party’s lawmakers, none of the preferred official candidates of the APC – (Gbajabiamila and Lawan) were sure of victory, just as the simple majority support each needed is yet to be achieved and Hon. Yakubu Dogara and Senator Saraki have refused to back out of the race.