Crisis Brews As APC Rejects Principal Officers Announced By Abbas, Akpabio

By Akeem Oduyoye

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has disassociated itself from the principal officers announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

The presiding officers of the National Assembly announced the new leaders at plenary on Tuesday.

In the majority cacaus of the senate, Akpabio had named Opeyemi Bamidele, Majority Leader; David Umahi
Deputy Majority Leader; Mohammed Ali Ndume, Senate Majority Whip; and Lola Ashiru
Deputy Majority Whip.

While Abbas named Julius Ihonvbere, lawmaker representing Owan east/Owan west Federal Constituency of Edo was announced as the majority leader; legislator representing Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro of Kogi, Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims, as deputy majority leader.

The speaker also named Bello Usman Kumo, representing Akko federal constituency of Gombe as the chief whip; and Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo north federal constituency in Ogun, as the deputy chief whip.

But addressing the Governors of the party, Abdullahi Adamu, the National Chairman, said the party had no input in the names of lawmakers.

“The election of the principal officers of the Senate by the Senate President and Deputy Senate President, the election of the speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives have been determined and announced and their responsibilities.”

“The remaining offices will be determined by the two chambers is yet to be done. I had a courtesy call on Saturday from the President of the Senate and his Deputy. The following which was Sunday, I received the visit by the Speaker and his Deputy Speaker coming to me for Sallah’s homage,” APC national chairman said.