The NASS election will be a battle of influence and wits as supporters and opponents of the zoning system vote it out today.
• Groups fault Tinubu’s interference in NASS leadership election• 290 Lawmakers-elect back Abbas’ aspiration, says KumoThe election is expected to be held immediately after a proclamation by President Bola Tinubu, setting the tone for the choice of leadership that will define the 10th National Assembly.
In the House of Representatives, the sudden withdrawal of Mukhtar Betara and Yusuf Gadgi from contesting the office of Speaker has reduced the contest to a two-horse race between Abbas and Idris Wase, outgoing Deputy Speaker. Similarly, President of the 9th Senate, Ahmad Lawan, also met with President Tinubu and Akpabio, where the Yobe senator was said to have promised to deliver Akpabio today.
He said Sani Musa, who had settled for the position of the Deputy President of the Senate, has also stepped down and has endorsed Jibrin Barau. However, the camp of Yari has dismissed as untrue claims that Kalu, Izunaso and all 15 Senators-elect in the Southeast have endorsed Akpabio’s ambition.A Senator-elect in Yari’s camp, who did not want his name mentioned, explained that “Uzodinma requested a meeting with Southeast senators and he came in company of Akpabio, Ganduje and others. He begged for support and left. Another meeting was called after he left where nine out of 15 unanimously voted to continue with Yari.
“But as the hour of election drew closer and no Senators-elect agreed to leave the camp of Yari, desperation set in within the camp of Akpabio resulting in revelations from the camp that pressure will be mounted on security agents to do everything possible to prevent Yari and many of his key supporters from accessing the National Assembly complex on Tuesday.
NEF said that the nation has been made aware of comments made by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, in the course of strengthening the bid of APC’s preferred candidates. Also, a group of Northerners, under the auspices of Northern Consensus Movement , has urged Shettima to put the interest of the North first by supporting a Northern candidate for the position of the Senate presidency. It, therefore, threw its weight behind the ambition of Yari.
Making a case for the Southeast, Oyelakin said that while the organisation awaited the final decision of both men on who becomes the President and the Deputy, the organisation urged the Senators-elect to consider the Southeast geopolitical zone for a viable position. He spoke yesterday, alongside his anointed deputy speaker candidate, Benjamin Kalu when 55 elected members from the South-South geopolitical zone endorsed him and Abbas.
Idem, who is also a zonal coordinator of the Joint Task, a coalition of eight political parties that won seats in the 10th Assembly, expressed gratitude to his colleagues from the South South for trusting him with the task of conveying their decision to the Joint Task. “This 55-over-55 is something we are not surprised, given the level of support we have enjoyed from key members of the Caucus including yourself who have been with us in this journey right from the start.
“I want to appreciate you for coming in your numbers and you have also invested in this project, invested money-wise even when some people didn’t believe in us then. The groups also expressed dissatisfaction and concern over the flagrant disregard for democratic principles demonstrated by this administration.They pointed out that it was shameful that the current government, barely at the outset of its tenure, was already exhibiting dictatorial tendencies.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nigeria’s democracy still in bondage, says Atiku | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsAs the country celebrates the occasion of Democracy Day, PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election has declared that the country’s democracy is still in bondage.
Read more »
Berlusconi and AC Milan - passion, politics and trophies | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsSilvio Berlusconi’s name will forever be associated with AC Milan, the football club he took over in the 1980s and with his immense wealth turned from a debt-ridden mess to a European powerhouse. Berlusconi ACMilan RIP Sports News
Read more »
Bandits kill 38, kidnap scores in Niger State | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsGunmen went on the rampage in communities in the Rafi local government area (LGA) of Niger State, killing some of the villagers and kidnapping some others within only two days.
Read more »
Death toll in Vietnam shootings climbs to nine | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsThe death toll following gun attacks on two police headquarters in Vietnam's Central Highlands has risen to nine, including four officers, authorities said Monday.
Read more »
Fuel price: NUJ calls for subsidised transport fare | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsThe Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, has urged the government to make available adequate government-owned transport facilities with reduced fare, to cushion the effects of the increase in petrol pump prices.
Read more »
Thai election commission to probe PM frontrunner | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsThailand’s election commission is to probe prime ministerial frontrunner Pita Limjaroenrat, the body’s chief said Monday, in the latest setback to his bid for the premiership.
Read more »