Race for 10th Assembly Deepens, APC Yet to Decide Zoning, Opposition Gears Up

Race for 10th Assembly Deepens, APC Yet to Decide Zoning, Opposition Gears Up

For those knowledgeable in the politics of the National Assembly, the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly election was just the beginning of another process. There would be election after that election and only the skillful, dogged and highly detribalised could win in this phase. One of the first assignments the President-Elect is expected to

For those knowledgeable in the politics of the National Assembly, the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly election was just the beginning of another process. There would be election after that election and only the skillful, dogged and highly detribalised could win in this phase.

One of the first assignments the President-Elect is expected to perform after his inauguration is the promulgation of the National Assembly. The tentative date for this is June 13th,2023. In preparation for a hitch free transition to the 10th Assembly, there have been series of formal and informal political meetings by different caucuses of the political parties.

So far, only 98 of 109 Senate seats have been declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Supplementary elections for the remaining seats would hold on Saturday, April 15. The All Progressives Congress (APC) won 57, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had 28, Labour Party (LP) won six and Young Progressives Party (YPP) won one seat. The APC has a clear majority in the Senate but short of two-thirds majority required to pass important bills.

In the House of Representatives, 325 out of 360 seats have been declared. The APC won 162, the PDP 102 and the LP 34. The APC is in an uncomfortable majority in the House. It is far cry from a two-thirds majority. The party with the highest number of members will produce the leadership of the two houses while the minority parties will collectively produce the minority leadership.

The APC is yet to take a decision on zoning of offices in the National Assembly. But the interested candidates have begun the jostling. Nine Senators are said to be interested in becoming the Numero uno of the Senate while nine members of the House of Representatives are also showing interest in leading the House.

The Senators are Orji Uzor Kalu(APC Abia)Dave Umahi(APC Ebonyi) ,Osita Izunaso(APC Imo), Godswill Akpabio(APC Akwa Ibom), Jibrin Barau (APC Kano), Abdul Aziz Yari(APC Zamfara),Sani Musa(APC Niger),Ali Ndume (APC Borno ) and the Senate President,Ahmad Lawan(APC Yobe).

Those speculated to have interest in the speakership position are the Deputy Speaker Idris Wase (APC, Plateau), Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau), Muktar Betara (APC, Borno), Ben Kalu (APC, Abia), Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), Tunji Olawuyi (APC, Kwara) and Abubakar Makki (APC, Jigawa). Others are Tajudeen Abbas (APC, Kaduna) and Aminu Jaji (APC, Zamfara).

The outgoing Speaker, Mr. Gbajabiamila confirmed that the nine House members showing interest in succeeding him. In a tweet on his timeline on Friday, Gbajabiamila said they are all men he has worked with for many years. His words: “Yesterday I met with aspirants for the office of the Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives in the coming 10th Assembly. All 9 aspirants I have known and worked with for many years and I have no doubt they will do well in continuing and building on the legacy of the 9th Assembly”.

Among the topmost contenders is the current Deputy Speaker, Hon Wase, who many have described as a good party man and had been in the House for several years. The North Central zone to which he belonged also gave the APC a good return in the presidential election also winning the governorship race in Benue state.

All the aspirants have commenced campaign while waiting for the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on where the position will be zoned to. Arguments are also being made to provide justifications for the coveted positions to be zoned to particular regions.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, in justifying the position of Senate President for the South-East said it would aid political unity of the country and assure the zone that they are not being discriminated against in political scheming of the country.

Another aspirant from the zone is the outgoing governor of Ebonyi state, Gov. Dave Umahi. The factor against him, however, is that he is a first-timer in the National Assembly. Senate standing rule says only ranking Senators could hold positions, but there are speculations that he is enjoying the support of some people in the Presidential Villa who may be supporting him.

Senator Osita Izunaso also from South East took his campaign to Aso Rock informing President Buhari on why he should be trusted with the Senate President position. He is a ranking Senator.

In the South -South, the leading aspirant is Godswill Akpabio, a former Governor of akwa-Ibom state, Senator and Minister of the federal republic of Nigeria. The South south zone had a better showing in the presidential election than the South East.

These senators are flying their kites on the religious balancing platform. They are arguing that the number three position should go to a Christian after having both Senators Tinubu and Shettima as Muslims.

However, some northern Muslim Senators have put a lie ro this assertion. According to them former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark and Speaker Yakubu Dogara were all Christians at the helm of affairs in the country.

Muslims senators in the race include, Jubrin Barau from Kano, he is current chairman Appropriation Committee, he is from North-West with former Zamfara Gov, Abdul Aziz Yari. Senator Sani Musa from Niger State (North -Central). Both North West and North Central senate presidency aspirants claimed they gave higher votes to the president-elect and APC during the presidential poll and do deserve the position. Senator Ali Ndume from Borno (North -East) is from the same state with the Vice President -Elect, Senator Kashim Shettima which may count against him. Another name that is causing ripples is that of the current senate president, Ahmad Lawan .

Some of the aspirants have started spending money to influence who gets what at the National Assembly. Alarmed by this development, the Campaign for Democracy, (CD) had called on the antigraft agencies – Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practice And Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC) to beam their searchlights on the National Assembly members at both chambers. Specifically, the Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) asked the anti-graft agencies should thoroughly probe the alleged bribery involving a ranking senator and 70 newly elected senators for the 10th Senate.

It is still early in the day to speculate on where the pendulum would swing. But, some things are certain; the President-elect would have a role to play in tilting the pendulum in whatever direction he wishes. The opposition could determine who emerges as Speaker of the House of Representatives especially if there is no party cohesion. The flip side, however, is the ability of the opposition of rainbow coalition to have a common mind and be able to vote in a uniform direction.

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