ABUJA – The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has allegedly resolved to dump the zoning arrangement for the election of the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives and Deputy Speaker, as well as the Senate President and Deputy Senate President, respectively.
Sources privy to a meeting allegedly held at the instance of the National Chairman and National Secretary of the APC in Abuja, on Wednesday said that the NWC is of concern that any attempt to adopt a zoning arrangement may disintegrate the ruling party.
They added that at the meeting, the National Chairman, Senator Adamu Abdullahi and Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC) unanimously resolved to shelve zoning.
According to them, “The Chairman and National Secretary on behalf of the NWC stated at the meeting that they cannot support the zoning because they’ve allowed members to go forth and spend a lot of resources, both physical and whatever in the quest for Speakership.
“And suddenly they should tell them to come. and withdraw because of zoning, it will destabilize the party.
“And also on the strength of the problem that we have now, that we don’t have an absolute majority in the House,” one of the sources said.
According to the official results of the February 25 and Supplementary election released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC won 175 seats, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won 118 seats, Labour Party (LP) won 35 seats, New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) won 19 seats, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won five seats, Social Democratic Party (SDP) and African Democratic Party (ADC) won two seats each, while Young Peoples Party (YPP) won a single seat with 3 seats still pending.
It was also gathered that six Members-elect who have officially indicated interest in the Speakership race have resolved to step down their ambition for the incumbent Chairman of, House Committee on Appropriations, Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu.
According to sources privy to the ongoing negotiations among the Aspirants, all the six Aspirants who pledged support for Hon. Muktàr Betara Aliyu expressed interest in collapsing their structures for him, with a view to strengthening his aspiration.
He said: “As we speak, quite a number of the new Members-elect in Hon. Betara’s camp who met in Enugu State few days ago are working earnestly to reinforce the ongoing campaign.
“All hands are on deck to get this effort to fruition that we are hopeful will bring about overwhelming victory on the day of the inauguration of the 10th Assembly.
“As we speak, we are leaving no stone unturned to leverage on the overwhelming support that Hon. Betara is enjoying from various quarters and by the grace of God, we shall coast to victory.
“I think it is worthy to also extend olive leave to all other Compatriots who have expressed interest in vying for the Speakership office to join the progressive train, because we can not afford to leave anyone behind.
“By God’s grace, Hon. Betara will run an inclusive administration and it’s going to be a win-win for all of us working together,” he assured.
Recall that the Members-elect across the seven Opposition Parties in the House of Representatives with the mantra ‘Greater Majority’ while noting that zoning is permitted as an intra-party solution to the sharing of political offices, however, warned that seeking to enforce such on the generality of members would be tantamount to affronting Section 50 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
[The Independent]
