•PDP in fresh plot to pitch Dogara against Gbajabiamila as Speaker

by Yusuf Alli


The race for the leadership of the 9th session of the National Assembly is on, just a week after the election into the legislative arm.

Already in contention are the Senate Presidency and the Speakership of the House of Representatives.

The Nation can now reveal that no fewer than five candidates are seeking to head the 9th Senate when it is inaugurated in June.

They are the outgoing Senate Leader Ahmad Lawan; a former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume; a former Governor of Gombe State and the outgoing Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Danjuma Goje; and the Chairman of the Parliamentary Support Group (PSG), ex-Governor Adamu Abdullahi.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State who is also being touted as a possible candidate does not seem to stand a chance on account of zoning as he is from the same zone -Southwest- and same state -Ogun- as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

He was suspended by the National Working Committee of APC on Friday for alleged anti party activities and recommended for expulsion by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC).

For now, only the current Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, is the front runner in the race for the Speakership of the Green Chambers, although the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is allegedly hatching a plot to push outgoing Speaker Yakubu Dogara for a return to the seat.

Dogara emerged in controversial circumstances in 2015 to clinch the post and sources said the PDP to which he now belongs may look for an alternative to Dogara in a desperate bid to stop Gbajabiamila, on the strength of his closeness to the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

PDP is banking on a likely split in the All Progressives Congress (APC) House Caucus to return Dogara as Speaker.

But pressure is mounting on President Muhammadu Buhari to take charge to avert a repeat of the political scheming which led to the emergence of the outgoing President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Speaker Dogara in 2015 against the directive of the APC.

The Nation also gathered that some forces in APC want party leaders to prevail on the President to give members of the National Assembly a free hand to elect their leaders.

Results of the last National Assembly elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), shows that the APC won 65 of the 109 (about 59%) senatorial seats in the country, leaving the PDP with 41 Senatorial seats (37%) and Young Progressives Party’s (YPP) one seat (1%).

The APC has also won 200 of the 360 House of Representatives seats – leaving PDP with well over 100 seats. The final figure for the two major parties is still not clear as there are still unresolved election contests for several House of Representatives seats.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that although the APC has the majority of the seats in the Senate and House of Representatives, the emergence of the President of the Senate and the Speaker will still require the input of the PDP.

It was learnt that the APC will need two-thirds majority in the Senate (about 73 votes) to be able to pass any bill.

The APC secured 61 seats in the Red Chambers in 2015 before the PDP infiltrated its ranks to secure the office of the Deputy President of the Senate for Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

Following the development, all the candidates aspiring to lead the Senate and the House have started reaching out to elected PDP members.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The horse-trading to lead the Senate and the House of Representatives has begun.

“It is going to be a tough contest because all the candidates are ranking. For example, Ndume has been in the National Assembly for 16 years with eight years spent in the House and another eight years in the Senate. Lawan has been a Senator since 2007 with Adamu and Goje joining in 2011.

“Some governors and APC stalwarts are gambling with the choice of Governor Ibikunle Amosun to lead the Senate as a bosom friend of the President. They have linked the suspension of the governor to the plot to install him as Senate President.

“This jostling for power is despite of the fact that the APC is yet to define its zoning or power sharing formula. Those aspiring to lead the National Assembly are banking on the 2015 formula of the APC, which ceded the Senate Presidency to the Northeast and the Speaker to the Southwest, before the President of the Senate, Speaker Dogara and some APC lawmakers revolted.

“The lack of zoning formula made ex-Governor Abdullahi Adamu from Nasarawa State in the Northcentral to join the race. As the chairman of the Parliamentary Support Group which resisted the outgoing Senate President to save President Buhari, he believes he should lead the Senate.

Responding to a question, the source said: “All the candidates are already lobbying not only to have the Senate presidency and House Speaker zoned to their areas but to be anointed.

“Unless it is carefully managed, the Senate may witness a repeat of the 2015 crisis which PDP took advantage of.”

Sources said that although Gbajabiamila has a brighter chance to be the next Speaker, the PDP might still resist him.

It was reliably gathered that the PDP might back Dogara’s return as Speaker by depending on a possible split in the APC caucus. It was also learnt that the PDP might throw mud at Gbajabiamila like it did in 2015 in order to stop the APC candidate.

Another source said: “The PDP is working on another joker to checkmate Gbajabiamila’s ambition again. Some PDP leaders are uncomfortable with Gbajabiamila, who is a political son of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who worked harder to ensure the defeat of PDP at the presidential poll.

“PDP actually wants Dogara back in line with its pre-election plans. The opposition can only succeed if the APC Caucus in the House is disunited.

“The only challenge APC is facing is about likely imposition of the Senate President and the Speaker. Most of the candidates want the race left open equitably.

“This is why some APC leaders are pleading with President Muhammadu Buhari and party leaders to meet and work out an equitable power sharing module.”

The source added: “I think in the next two months, the game will be more interesting. If Dogara’s candidacy does not fly, PDP might sponsor another ranking member from the Southwest to be the Speaker.”

A source in government said: “President Buhari has really not shown interest now on those who will lead the National Assembly. Maybe he has a mindset but he is yet to discuss with party leaders.”

Lawan is spending his 2oth year in the National Assembly having being elected into the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003 before becoming a Senator.


Set up zoning mechanism for NASS leadership to avoid 2015 scenario, Nabena tells APC

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Yekini Nabena, yesterday asked the leadership of the party to set in motion machinery for the zoning and selection of preferred principal officers of the incoming 9th National Assembly.

In a statement in Abuja, he said this was necessary to avoid a repeat of the crisis that engulfed the party in 2015 over the struggle for the leadership of the legislative arm.

Describing the National Assembly as strategic to APC’s change agenda for the country, he said President Muhammadu Buhari’s direct involvement and views on the matter “will be very important as the party works around the zoning and selection arrangements for principal NASS officers.”

He added: “The Peoples Democratic Party has lost the presidential election and they have now adopted a plan B from their infamous Dubai strategy meeting.

“The plan is to hijack the incoming National Assembly leadership by repeating their heinous coup in the previous Assembly.

“The APC must prevent a repeat of a situation where despite our overwhelming majority in the outgoing 8th Senate and House of Representatives, its leadership was hijacked by saboteurs and their opposition PDP collaborators.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/lawan-goje-ndume-adamu-battle-for-senate-presidency/

wait till may, 29...enough of all these political talk based on insinuations and innuendos...

Can't Apc zoned the senate president to either SS/SE?

helinues:
Can't Apc zoned the senate president to either SS/SE?

is there any senator from the ss/se? if the is, that the best bet.

SEGLIZ:

is there any senator from the ss/se? if the is, that the best bet.

What if Ike Ikeremadu defects to Apc?

If buhari fail to play active role in the election of national assembly leadership this time around I will give up on him and totally agree with those that are calling him lifeless president.
But i trust osho Baba he will never dull himself.

It should be ekweremadu who else is with me.....
Rochas dosen't stand a chance....or maybe the thing go just shock una say na our senatorial comedian

ayomilore:
If buhari fail to play active role in the election of national assembly leadership this time around I will give up on him and totally agree with those that are calling him lifeless president.
But i trust osho Baba he will never dull himself.

lol a lifeless president will be understatement if he decides to go docile again this time.

he has nothing to lose for the next for years, we wanna see a positive tyrant.

SEGLIZ:

is there any senator from the ss/se? if the is, that the best bet.

My papa

2019-2023 if Atiku's mandate is not restored is going to be another hiatus!

For the sake of justice. The Senate presidency seat should be conceded to the SE zone.

Haba!

helinues:


What if Ike Ikeremadu defects to Apc?

y didnt he defect before elections

helinues:


What if Ike Ikeremadu defects to Apc?

I won't but laugh. you and I know that won't work, it is case of one beaten twice shy. the antecedent of saraki serving as mole would go a long since all his antics was undermining the same government he served.
I love ike, he is calm, cool and a nationalist from my perspective. if kalu made through he might be a better alternative since Godswill didn't pull through. to this is a deliberate attempt by ss/se to marginalize themselves.
it was enough for them to have position their men on both side to stand at a vantage point to clinch the third seat of the federation. it is unbecoming of them to work against the tide it's high time they seize the use of single basket for trading and the politics of hate and bitterness.

Akpabio

yetunsbay:
y didnt he defect before elections

He probably might have received same defeats like Akpabio

Lol... Fooolish Igbos in APC, have you people "Sawn What Am Seen? Hope you guys are now seeing through this useless party called APC? 2015, they said there was no Igbo APC senator and so they can't zone to the South East!

Now, South East I believe has 2 APC Senators! South South has more than 3! But have you noticed how all the names being mentioned are mostly Notherners and Westerners! If we tell you guys that these people are highly undemocratic, it will be like Easterners are bigots! Ndigbo have seen through this people and known that it is just a sham! There js nothing truthful about this hopeless, useless party! I can never be deceived. Believe me.

Just tell me how the President is North, Senate President North, Speaker is North, Deputy speaker North, Chief Justice North, Court of Appeal North, Code of Conduct Tribunal North, Attorney General North! Let me not even discuss the defense of this nation! Are you seein it now?

So basically, the executive, legislature and judiciary is hinged in the North! Ndigbo wow! Southerners are really smart!

Ndigbo have you seen that nothing in APC for you! At least PDP gave you guys senate President for a long time whether a first timer senate or not!

Have you guys noticed how Yorubas and Notherners on this forum are smartly changing the rhetoric to "they are senate first timers"? Do you guys now believe me when I say these people are lewd and shrewd?

But there is an option you can always activate.

There is a young man God sent you to free you. Mere mention of that man sends shivers down there spine. They fear him a lot and funny enough, the young man is fearless! They are scared that finally, there is somebody to lead the Youths from Igboland. But will the elders give him the needed support?

You guys saw how fanatic Buharis fans are. Same number of morrons and imbecciles have been voting this mad man since 1999! Nobody called them ethnic bigots! If it were to be an Igbo people now, everybody will be opening gutter mouth!

You guys see how fanatic Tinubus fans and supporters are! 3 bullion vans filled with dollars were seen in his house, it is his money! But let them catch an Igbo man with 10,000 dollars at the airport... All hell will let loose.

Ndigbo, these people are not taking you serious because you guys are not taking yourselves serious. There is nothing that pains Nigerians like to see a smart, unadulterated Igbo man who sees through the sham called Nigeria. This country is designed to muzzle you guys out. Forget the fake love!

This is not your country!

N.B
For animals that will try to tell me that I shouted "Atikuloot or Atikulate" do go through my posts! I never supported PDP or APC. I never voted. But am pro PDP though because I see them as more democratic and unifying!

No now, it belongs to our brother from the other side

Borofice from ondo state should be there.. They can't keep sidelining us anyhow.. Imagine the last time they gave us a position was appointing iji as an ambassador to Togo

helinues:


He probably might have received same defeats like Akpabio

the main reason APC wouldn't want a repeat of '15



Moreover, he is more of a staunch PDP than Akpabio

SEGLIZ:

I won't but laugh. you and I know that won't work, it is case of one beaten twice shy. the antecedent of saraki serving as mole would go a long since all his antics was undermining the same government he served.
I love ike, he is calm, cool and a nationalist from my perspective. if kalu made through he might be a better alternative since Godswill didn't pull through. to this is a deliberate attempt by ss/se to marginalize themselves.
it was enough for them to have position their men on both side to stand at a vantage point to clinch the third seat of the federation. it is unbecoming of them to work against the tide it's high time they seize the use of single basket for trading and the politics of hate and bitterness.

Should Ike defects to Apc ( SP purposes) Will SE backs him or go against him cos the party involved is Apc?

Why not Ovei Omo-Agege

kingemzy5:

My papa

you no serious early Sunday morning,

yetunsbay:
the main reason APC wouldn't want a repeat of '15



Moreover, he is more of a staunch PDP than Akpabio

Dont get it twisted.. No staunched supporters of any political party in Nigeria.. It is all about where they are going to benefit from not necessary for the purpose of masses.

I bet you wont be surprised if Dino joins Apc tomorrow..

What's wrong with some northerners?, must they drag power every single time?, what happens to Equity?, I once supported omo-agege, but not any longer, the seat should be zoned to SE period.

helinues:


What if Ike Ikeremadu defects to Apc?

Lol, I swear this is funny... Even if he defects I doubt they'll make him sp

Its all about thier pocket

helinues:


Dont get it twisted.. No staunched supporters of any political party in Nigeria.. It is all about where they are going to benefit from not necessary for the purpose of masses.

I bet you wont be surprised if Dino joins Apc tomorrow..

you're right thou . Dino na prostitute ooo

Are you an alien in this country?
You have Okorocha from Imo even though is currently suspended. I tell is the only duly fitted person from the East, as he single handedly brought APC to the region.
You have OUK from Abia, this is another choiced candidate from the East.
You have Omo-Agege from the SS specifically from Delta, a die hard fan of Mr President.
So what then are you saying that this no senator from these extractions?

SEGLIZ:

is there any senator from the ss/se? if the is, that the best bet.

APC die here. No more error