The endorsement of Senator Ahmed Lawan and Hon. Femi
Gbajabiamila, by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the
positions of Senate President and Speaker, House of
Representatives, in the ninth National Assembly, may have sparked
crisis of confidence in ruling APC.
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, one of the contenders for the Senate
President, on Tuesday described the endorsement APC handed to Lawan
as unconstitutional and completely ran against the spirit of fair
play.
The Borno South Senator told reporters in Abuja that the
position of the party on who emerges the Senate President cannot
stand as it did not follow due process.
The National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, was reported to
have announced the endorsement of Lawan and Gbajabiamila as
candidates of the APC for the posts of Senate President and Speaker
of the House of Representatives.
Ndume said that he consulted widely and was given the go-ahead
by party leaders to vie for the position.
He insisted that the Constitution provided the procedure for the
election of the Senate President
For him, the best the party could have done was to zone the slot
of Senate President to a geo-political zone and allow the zone to
choose their candidate
Although Ndume said that he was not desperate for the position
of Senate President, he assured that he would consult his
colleagues on the way forward.
Read Also: Ndume joins race for Senate President
Ndume said: “First of all, let me say that the decision by the
party to settle for an individual instead of zoning the position to
a particular geopolitical zone and also consulting or allowing the
senators from that zone to decide who among them they prefer as
Senate President, is a surprise.
“We were surprised on Monday when national chairman of our party
told us a decision had been taken to adopt Ahmad Lawan as candidate
from the North East for the position of the President of the
Senate.
“The reason why I am shocked and I am sure that is the feeling
of my colleagues, is that the constitutional provision for the
emergence of the leadership of the Senate is clearly spelt out.
“Section 51 (a) of the Constitution says that “there shall be a
Senate President and Deputy Senate President who shall be elected
by members of the House “.
“Section 1 of the Constitution clearly states that “this
Constitution is binding on all Nigerians and government
agencies.”
“It went further to say that any other law that contravenes the
provision of the Constitution is null and void.
“As a party that is supposed to be democratic and as a
government that insists on allowing due process to prevail, this is
strange. A candidate of APC normally emerges by one of three means,
namely- consensus, indirect elections and direct primaries.
“As I said, such a decision was taken and we were not given the
chance to ask questions. We were not allowed to make comments.
“The President made his remarks and after that, the national
anthem was recited.
“Even the chosen candidate was not given the chance to thank us
or say something about it. Those of us that have indicated
interests were not consulted or given the chance to make any
comments.
“I left there with that shock, but I slept well notwithstanding.
I am one among equal. I am just one among 109 senators. I am not
better than them, except for Lawan. I came back and slept well.
“My wife and children were worried about my feelings. I was even
late for the prayers in the morning.
“I try my best in everything I do and I leave the rest to God. I
am now leaving this to God and those who elected me. I am going
home to consult with elders who gathered themselves and asked me to
contest. I will consult with them and then take a final
decision.
“The party has taken a decision. I ultimately wait on the
decision of Almighty God and my colleagues. That is what I will say
co now.”
Asked to explain what he meant by waiting for his colleagues to
decide his fate, he said: “You should not be confused. The
constitution is clear. It says the Senate shall elect its president
and deputy.
“Like I said, my decision to contest for the position of the
Senate President is not personal. Even my colleagues encouraged me
to run. Not just the elected ones. They said I should vie for the
position. Even then, the party didn’t say it had elected Ahmad
Lawan. It only said it has nominated Lawan.
“The way the leadership of the National Assembly should emerge
is clearly stated. Anything contrary to that means it is illegal
and it can’t stand. As I said, we wait on God.
“I am not the one saying this. It is the decision of my
colleagues. I am one of those offering himself to contest for the
position. I can’t even nominate myself. Someone has to nominate and
second me. I can’t say that a candidate has been imposed on us. The
decision is now left for my colleagues. If you look at the history
of the National Assembly, such decisions have never gone down
well.
“In 1999, Evan Ewerem was imposed. He didn’t last. Wabara was
also imposed. It didn’t last. After that, the PDP we have accused
of impunity didn’t do this.
“In 2007, the PDP showed wisdom by zoning the position to North
Central. That was what led to the contest between David Mark and
George Akume. Because that happened, Mark served for two terms.
Mark would have served for another term if PDP had won. He served
his tenure peacefully.
Read more senate-presidency-apcs-endorsement-of-lawan-unconstitutional-ndume/
Gov Abubakar of Bauchi Congratulates PDP Governor-Elect
Sen Bala Mohammed
Gov Abubakar wishes to congratulate Governor-elect of Bauchi
state Senator Bala Mohammed.
“i congratulate my brother, Sen Bala on this victory at the
polls.
“I am delighted to note that in-spite of the intensity of the
campaigns in our dear state, a peaceful election took place without
bloodshed.
“Let me therefore invite the Governor-elect to join me in
working out the process of a smooth transition.
“I sincerely thank the entire people of Bauchi state for their
support to my administration and urge them to extend the same to
the incoming administration.
“I also urge governor-elect to caution his supporters to be law
abiding while celebrating since the period of campaigns is now
over.
Ali M. Ali
Special Adviser
Media and Strategy
To MA Abubakar