Preparations towards the meeting of the All Progressives Congress leaders and the newly elected National Assembly members to produce the party’s consensus candidates that will be presented as the Senate President and the House of Representatives Speaker during the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly on Tuesday is currently generating tension.

The two contestants for the post of Senate President are Senators Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central) and Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North). Leaders of the two camps said on Friday that they had more than enough support that would ensure the emergence of their candidates as the party’s choice

The two camps claimed that they had written the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie -Oyegun, on the suitability of their respective candidates for the post because of their overwhelming support among the APC senators’ fold.

ndications that the situation might get out of control at today’s meeting emerged when both camps, as of Friday evening, were still laying claim to having 35 members each, making 70 whereas there are just 59 APC senators – elect who will be inaugurated on Tuesday. Senator Kabiru Marafa, (Zamfara Central), who is campaigning for Lawan, told our correspondent that his group had submitted its letter to the party leadership containing 35 names and assured Nigerians that all the members would be physically present at the meeting. Marafa said, “There are 59 APC senators -elect following the death of Ahmed Zannah (Borno North ) and we have 35 of the number in the Senate Unity Forum. Nobody can manipulate it because the people will appear physically. “I can assure you that all of us will be there tomorrow (today) to answer our names in support of Senator Lawan. We are 35 and you will see us there live, we are ready for the primary election and we shall surely win.” But Dino Melaye, (Kogi West) alleged that members of the SUF were not being truthful in their claims, having pledged last week to unfold the list of 40 members in their fold but failed to do so, only for them to start claiming that they have 35 members.

He said, “The Like Minds Senators stand by our figure. We are intact. We held a meeting today (Friday), and all of us still spoke with one voice. We are ready for the primary election that will produce the best candidate anytime.” Meanwhile, the Like Minds Senators, through a statement jointly signed on Friday by Melaye and Senator Ahmed Sani, challenged Lawan’s group to publicly exhibit the names and signatories they claim that consist their supporters in the senate. The pro-Saraki group equally urged them to consolidate it further by submitting the names of the senators that had passed a resolution endorsing Lawan as the next Senate President as the senators of the like minds did when they submitted 34 senators endorsing Saraki on May 24.

The group said, “On two occasions, APC has called for due internal democracy through primary elections. On the same two occasions, they (SUF members) have evaded these primary elections to determine the President of the 8th Senate. “Their latest presentation to our National Chairman, that ranking should be a criterion for the selection of the next Senate President is foolhardy to suggest because if Ahmed Lawan is the most ranking senator, where then was he when George Akume was selected the Minority Leader of the Senate?”

Source: Punch

PDP candidate will emerge eventually. David mark is watching u guys

Ahmed Lawan should be the next senate president,he has been loyal to APC and saraki looks over ambitious...George Akume is a good product sha...APC if you are not ready give the mantle back to David Mark or Ike Ekweremadu.....Ngige you were sleeping and allowed PDP rig you out,that sit was meant for you and SE but you slacked

Bring it on

Watching in 3D