APC has said that it is yet to zone the leadership of the 10th National Assembly to any region
By Emma Ogbuehi
Amidst schemes and alliances by individuals and blocs for positions of authority in the 10th National Assembly, the All Progressives Party (APC) has restated that it is yet to zone the leadership of any of the two legislative houses to any region.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, who made the declaration, acknowledged that the attention of the party has been drawn to versions of zoning arrangements for the 10th National Assembly leadership positions in circulation in sections of social media, stressing however that such permutations did not emanate from the Party and should be disregarded.
“To be clear, the Party has yet to zone positions of leadership of the 10th National Assembly,” the statement stressed.
The party further noted that any decisions made in this regard will be duly communicated via the Party’s official information channels.
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Less than two months to the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, the race for leadership of the two chambers, comprising the Senate and House of representatives, has commenced. The contestants cut across the six geo-political zones in the country.
Though the APC, which has the majority in both chambers, is yet to decide on the criteria for sharing the leadership positions in the parliament, many aspirants from its fold and other political parties, such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) are already indicating interest to contest the various positions.
Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides for a bi-cameral legislature. It states as follows: “The legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be vested in a National Assembly for the Federation, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.”
In the Senate, Standing Order 3, Rule 2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2022 as amended, provides that the nomination of presiding officers and appointments of Principal Officers and other Officers of the Senate shall be by the ranking of Senators.
In determining rank, the following Order shall apply.
(i) Senators returning based on the number of times reelected;
(ii) Senators who had been members of the House of Representatives,
(iii) Senators elected as Senators for the first time.
By convention, it is the party with the majority, that provides the leadership, in this case, the APC. Notwithstanding the established rules, both old and new lawmakers are already jostling for positions. Lawmakers of opposition political parties, are also forming coalitions to determine who emerges the senate president and speaker of the House of representatives, among other positions.
So far, those eyeing the 10th Senate presidency include, serving Senate President, Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North); Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East); Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North); Senator Jibrin Barau (APC Kano North); Senator Godswill Akpabio (APC, Akwa Ibom North-West); Deputy Senate leader, Senator Abdul Ningi (APC, Bauchi Central); and Senator Abdul- Aziz Yari (APC, Zamfara). Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) and Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West) have also declared intentions to run for the office. Governor David Umahi (APC, Ebonyi South) and Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), who would be first-time legislators are equally said to be interested in becoming senate president.
For the Speakership position, no fewer than 10 persons have shown up for the job. Among them, is Princess Onuoha (APC, Imo), the only female aspirant.
Apart from the Senate President and House Speaker, there are other principal officers such as the Deputy Senate President, Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader, Chief Whip, Minority Leader, Minority Whip. The various offices are contentious given the power and influence that come with them. They are also necessary for religious, ethnic and other considerations of balancing in the country.