Category: Lead

The National Assembly elections on February 25 threw up a lot of surprises. Parties least expected to produce lawmakers now have substantial seats at the Red Chamber. The presence of so many minority parties is threatening the ambition of some ranking lawmakers who have their eyes on the Senate Presidency.

Though the ruling party produced majority of Senators-elect, thus giving it the privilege to effectively produce the top two Presiding Officers of the 10th Senate, aspirants vying for the positions on the platform of APC must of necessity forge alliances with opposition lawmakers to secure the majority of votes needed to win.

The formal inauguration of the 10th Senate is expected to take place on Tuesday June 13, 2023 after proclamation of the 10th National Assembly by the incoming president. The battle may actually be a battle for supremacy between five ex-governors in the race and other Senators-elect.

Already, according to chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the number of Senators-elect so far are 10. The breakdown is All Progressives Congress (APC) 56 Senators, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 32, Labour Party (LP) 7, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) 2, Social Democratic Party (SDP) 2, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) 1 and Young Progressives Party (YPP) 1. Eight seats are expected to be filled during the supplementary election conducted by INEC yesterday.

From the above, it is clear that APC won more than half of the 109 available seats and would by tradition produce the two Presiding Officers – Senate President and Deputy Senate President.

However the race for the Senate presidency among the APC Senators-elect that are ranking as well as first timers promises to be both high-wire and interesting. Each aspirant is expected to be at his best in exploiting the support of their contacts, godfathers and equally displaying political clout, personality and positive antecedents.

At the moment, no fewer than 10 APC Senators-elect have either indicated or are believed to be interested in the top job. They include incumbent Senate President Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North), Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South), Barau Jibrin (Kano North), Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger East), Chief Whip of the Senate and ex-Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), ex-Niger Delta Affairs Minister and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North West), Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi (Ebonyi South), former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari (Zamfara West), Osita Izunaso (Imo West) and former Governor of Edo State and ex-APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North).

Of all these eminently qualified lawmakers and those yet to join the race, it is apparent that the contest would both be tough and unpredictable. However, some of the determining factors for any of the aspirants to emerge Senate President would largely depend on if the APC would zone the position to any of the geopolitical zones.

Now that the President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima are from the Southwest and Northeast geopolitical zones respectively, it is expected, but not mandatory, that the position of Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker, House of Representatives and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, be evenly spread among the remaining four geopolitical zones of the country, namely: Northwest, North-Central, Southeast and South-South.

It must be noted that any of the contenders endorsed by APC after due consideration for zoning may emerge victorious. The national leadership of the party is expected to formally zone the two positions after the ongoing Ramadan fast, according to Senate spokesperson, Ajibola Basiru (APC – Osun Central).

The leadership of the APC may decide to anoint or impose any of aspirants for the respective positions but they may equally choose to be neutral and allow senators-elect to choose who will lead them. This is often not the case, as the party would want to have a grip on those at the helm of affairs in both chambers of the National Assembly.

This is basically to ensure that the incoming president can seamlessly work with the leadership of both chambers in formulating policies and getting critical Executive Bills and requests through the National Assembly without difficulty.

APC could also elect to throw the contest open among its senators-elect and allow the most popular candidate to emerge. The party is not new to endorsing open contest for positions of leadership in the party. It could be recalled that the party had endorsed all members of the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led National Working Committee to emerge as consensus candidates while it threw open its presidential ticket for contest by most of the candidates that applied. It is not yet known if the next Senate President and Deputy Senate would be imposed by the party by throwing its weight behind a particular candidate or be democratically elected by allowing all APC senators-elect that have signified interest to vie for the position to go by way of the ballot as prescribed in the Senate Standing Orders 2015 (as amended).

According to the provisions, the Senate President and his deputy would be elected by simple majority. Any senator, irrespective of party affiliation, can nominate or be nominated as would be senate president or deputy senate President. There is also no limit to the number of senators to be so nominated. The provisions adds that voting shall be either through electronic or secret ballot while the Clerk to the National Assembly shall serve as the returning officer.

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.”

In 2015, the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to take a timely stand on who to choose led to the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki and the frosty relationship between the Executive and Legislature. Tinubu, who is believed to be a good strategist, may not repeat such a mistake.

The Senators-elect gearing up to contest for the position of Senate President and Deputy Senate President and their chances of winning or not winning or otherwise are as follows:

AHMAD LAWAN

Lawan has his first degree in Geography and Master’s degree in Remote Sensing from the Ahmadu Bello University and a Doctorate degree in Remote Sensing/GIS from Cranfield University in 1990 and 1996 respectively. He has been in the National Assembly since 1999. He spent three terms in the House of Representatives and would resume his 5th term in the Senate upon inauguration of the 10th National Assembly on June 13, 2023. He is seen as the most experienced among those jostling for the position of Senate President. He is equally a scholar who has served as majority leader in the Senate. He has equally presided over critical standing committees and Adhoc committees in both chambers.

Lawan can retain his seat as Senate President in the 10th National Assembly if the leadership of the APC with majority in the upper chamber so desires. Otherwise, they may advise him to either shelve his ambition or test his popularity during voting just like he did during the presidential primary election of the APC where he emerged in fourth place.

While his colleagues from among the returning APC Senators-elect may be disposed to back his ambition, the votes would surely be divided if other ranking APC senators-elect like Barau Jibrin (APC Kano North and Sani Musa (APC – Niger East) throw their hats in the ring as they have publicly declared. If that happens, he would need to rely on votes from 45 opposition Senators-elect on the platform of the PDP, LP, NNPP, SDP, APGA and YPP.

The emergence of the Vice President-elect Shettima who is from Borno State in the Northeast region of the country may dampen the chances of Lawan should the APC decide to give the position to another zone. Already, Tinubu is from Lagos State in the Southwest. Besides, only about 30 of the Senators in the Ninth Assembly got re-elected. Be that as it may, Lawan may need additional votes from first time APC senators-elect and those of the opposition to retain his position. He is yet to officially declare for the position.

GODSWILL AKPABIO

Akpabio is a lawyer by training and a former governor of Akwa Ibom State. He was Minority Leader during the 8th Senate. He is the immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and one of the presidential candidates of APC who stood down for Tinubu.

He has the requisite qualification and experience to be the next Senate President. But his fate lies in the hands of the party, who may zone the Senate presidency to any region of its choice. If it is zoned to the South-South, he may likely pick it, but if it is goes to any other geopolitical zone, then it would be out of his grip. However, Akpabio has a way of springing surprises in any contest and he may be praying that the race be thrown open.

He may get the backing of 13 ex-governors and two ex-deputy governors that would be in the 10th Senate. From the results declared by INEC so far, 11 former governors, two incumbent Governors, a former deputy governor and one serving deputy governor, are among the senators-elect. He is yet to officially declare for the position.

The former governors are: Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo (Gombe), Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe), Idiat Adebule (Lagos, Deputy) and Ipalibo Banigo (Rivers, Deputy).

ORJI UZOR KALU

Kalu is a former governor of Abia State. He is media entrepreneur among other businesses and one of the chieftains of APC from the Southeast. He is the Chief Whip of the 9th Senate. He had declined to contest for the position of president during APC’s primary election because he said it had not been zoned to the Southeast. He later supported the presidential ambition of Lawan. But after the primary election, he and the Senate President threw their weight behind Tinubu. If APC’s leadership decides to zone the position to the Southeast, Kalu may well be favoured to clinch the ticket. Otherwise, he may have to fight his way through should the race be thrown open. At the moment only six APC senators-elect (himself inclusive) have emerged from the Southeast. He will need to seek for support from other zones of the country to realise his ambition.

Kalu while declaring his intention to occupy the top post, insisted that it is his turn to become the next Senate President. He urged APC to zone the seat to his village in Igbere in Abia North Senatorial District. He said with his position as Chief Whip of the current Senate, he is the most ranking Senator from his region and deserves the position. He said he will contest the position of Senate President if APC allocates it to Southeast.

On whether he will be comfortable having a Muslim as a Senate President in the 10th National Assembly, Kalu said: “The answer is no because I speak the truth. Like I told you people, that I will stand for Muslim-Muslim ticket for president and that is the only thing that would make APC win.

“I will not be comfortable with a Muslim Senate President because this is a secular state. We need to accommodate interests, nations and spread to be able to maintain the secularity of our country.”

ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE

Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo State is a first time Senator-elect and would represent Edo North Senatorial District. As the immediate past National Chairman of APC and a former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), he is a household name in the party and across the country.

Though he lacks the required legislative experience and is least ranking among lawmakers believed to be interested in the post, he will be contending with Akpabio, who is also from the South-South should the post be ceded to the region.

He may also benefit from votes from ex-governors and deputy governors who have made it to the 10th National Assembly. Besides, he may also be able to get the votes of LP Senators-elect who are presently seven in number.

His long term political association with the President-elect may also confer some advantage on him. His major drawback would be his lack of ranking and the feeling in some quarters that he appears to always want to have his way, the view of the majority notwithstanding.

Some of those opposed to his ambition have argued that this personality trait may not be in tandem with the spirit prevalent in the chambers where the minority are expected to have their say and the majority their way. Oshiomhole is yet to officially contest the position.

BARAU JIBRIN

The Chairman, Committee on Appropriation in the current Senate, Barau Jibrin represents Kano North. Even though he has not formally declared his intention to seek the number one job in the Senate, he is believed to be interested. He is the only Senator of APC stock from his state returning to the 10th National Assembly. He is both ranking and experienced as a legislator. He will be favoured if the party zones the position to the Northwest and would equally prove his mettle should the race be thrown open. He may enjoy the votes of opposition senators from the Northwest, Northeast and North-Central.

Jibrin who has been in the  National Assembly since 1999 and in the Senate since 2015 recently told reporters that the Senate Standing Rule prioritizes seniority (ranking) and legislative experience above other considerations for the top job.

He said: “I intend to seek to be the President of the 10th Senate. In the next few days, I will start my campaign and make a formal declaration.

“The Legislature is a distinct arm of government that doesn’t work based on sentiments, it works on your ability to get the job done. It is the tradition all over the world and it is also stated there in our rule book and the rules are drafted from our Constitution.

“It is stated there in our Standing Rules that aspirations of elections for the seat of the Senate Presidency shall be in accordance with ranking. Among those who are running for the seat of the Senate Presidency, I am the most ranked senator.

“So, it is constitutional and among those who are showing their intentions to run for the Senate Presidency, I am the most experienced. The issue is that of competence. You need to be grounded, in the residue of the legislature before you become the Senate President. Do you now play against competence based on sentiments?”

On claims that it would not augur well for the next APC’s administration to have a Muslim as Senate President, Jibrin disagreed. He said: “Remember that David Mark was a Christian, his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, was a Christian and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh, was a Christian because they were the most experienced and ranking and that is the tradition, so do we now relegate competence for other sentiments? Bringing religious sentiment won’t fly. It’s about competence not sentiment. When we talk about experience, I’m the most experienced.”

“There is need to reward performance. The North West deserves to produce the Senate President because we gave the President-elect the highest votes,” he added.

“We want our president to go for second term. We saw what he did in Lagos and want him to replicate that across the country.

“In 2015, when President Buhari was declared the winner, he tried to give attention to the area that gave him the highest votes. Key government positions were zoned to the Northwest and Northeast to reward the people.”

MOHAMMED SANI MUSA

Senator Sani Musa represents Niger East and is currently chairman of the Senate Services Committee – which makes him highly influential among senators. He is popularly referred to as 313. He is ranking and has the legislative experience to pilot the affairs of the 10th Senate if he is able to convince his colleagues to entrust him with the office of Senate President.

Known to be highly cerebral and easy going, he can pull surprises should the race be thrown open. He will equally benefit if the position is zoned to North-Central. He had contested for the position of National Chairman of APC, but had to shelve his ambition when Senator Abdullahi Adamu emerged consensus candidate of the party. He has indicated his readiness to consider the position of Deputy Senate President if the party tells him to do so.

Speaking on his ambition, Musa said: “I will say, there is no office that deserves to be zoned to the North Central than the Office of the Senate President.

“But as a party loyalist, and having an interaction with the party leadership before the Governorship and House of Assembly elections at the presidential Villa, the National Chairman of APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, requested that we all keep our intentions until when the party decides to release the zoning formula.

“Be that as it may, and as we can all see that the Muslim-Muslim ticket, which am sure will be addressed, we will queue in and decide to make our declaration. Just as I said earlier, I would not want to pre-empt the party, I will wait for the decision of the party. 

“Whatever is the interest of the North Central as one of the geopolitical zones that gave President-elect Tinubu the highest votes…if you look at the votes we gave to APC and the votes we gave to PDP, we have the largest and these things have been happening for a very long time each time we align with the governing party in the North-Central.

“So, I believe by the time they deal with the zoning, we will be able to see what is left for us.

“I do know there will be nothing less than the Deputy Senate President because that is what will be fair to us. And if you ask me about my ambition, every human being have ambition. 

DAVID UMAHI

Governor Umahi of Ebonyi State will be in the Red Chamber for the first time as a Senator and he is already jostling to be Senate President from the Southeast. He is relying on the possibility that the office would be zoned to the East. He, against all odds, defected to APC in his bid to contest for the presidential ticket of the party. He lost to Tinubu at the primaries. He later won a fresh senatorial primary when the candidate stepped down. The perception that he performed in terms of infrastructure development in Ebonyi may be his selling point but the fact that the Southeast has dominated the position of Senate President since 1999 may work against him.

Umahi while declaring his intention for the job in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital, told journalists that: “I am asking the National Assembly to set aside the House Rules for the best to emerge. If the Senate zones the Senate Presidency to the Southeast, I am indicating interest, so I have been in public service for the past 16 years, so you can see that I understand what it takes to rebuild this country. I appeal to the Senate to set aside the rules for the best man to emerge. This is without prejudice to the will of God.

“We courageously left PDP to APC, because of injustice, so the South East trusts APC because in Ebonyi State, we returned three Senatorial Candidates, three House of Representatives Candidates, so Ebonyi is totally APC. It will be very fair enough for the nation Nigeria to look in the direction of South East in this Senate Presidency.”

OSITA IZUNASO

Senator Izunaso from Imo West, is also in the race for the presidency of the Senate.

Izunaso disclosed his intention during the week when he presented his Certificate of Return to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa. He told the President of his interest in the top position in the Senate. He insisted that, as the most senior lawmaker from the Southeast and South-South zones, he stands a greater chance of becoming the next Senate President. It is worthy to note that the Imo lawmaker retired Senator Arthur Nzeribe, a maverick politician, after stopping him from getting PDP’s ticket.

He said: “I came to the Senate in 2007; I was in the House of Representatives. I’ve been in the party for five solid years. I ran the party to the best of my ability as National Organising Secretary that saw us to victory in 2015 and 2019, so I think we have paid our dues.

“I’m the oldest… there’s no senator today in APC of Southeast or South-South that is older than me in the Senate and that is an institution that believes in ranking. So I’m the highest ranking senator in both Southeast and South-South.”

MOHAMMED ALI NDUME

Ndume has been in the National Assembly since 1999. He was a Senate Majority Leader in the 8th National Assembly. He contested the position of Senate President against Lawan in the 9th Senate. He is ranking with requisite legislative experience. He contends that the position of Senate President should naturally be his as the most ranking APC Senator in the current dispensation – a tradition accorded ranking lawmakers in advanced societies. The emergence of the Vice President-elect from his home state of Borno may be his major obstacle in terms of equitable zoning.

His supporters say he could he approached for the position of Deputy Senate President, if the number one position eludes him. He has advocated that the race be thrown open. He called on the leadership of APC to allow senators to pick their leaders rather than the proposed zoning. He argues that Senators-elect are not “small boys” that cannot choose their presiding officers.

“The APC leadership did not take any position during the presidential primary election. Aspirants from all the geopolitical zones participated in the exercise,” he said.

“Senators should be allowed to choose a competent person among them that has adequate legislative and managerial experiences to lead the Senate. Zoning may not lead to the emergence of the best person for the job that is why the decision to choose the Senate presiding officers must be the sole responsibility of the senators.”

ABDULAZIZ YARI

Former governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, is also warming up to contest the office of Senate President. He lost the opportunity of becoming a Senator in the 9th National Assembly, due to the Supreme Court ruling which sacked all elected politicians on the platform of APC following a face-off between his faction and that of Senator Kabiru Marafa.

He is ranking having served in the House of Representatives before becoming governor. Yari and Jibrin want APC to reward one of them for the Northwest giving the President-elect the highest votes during the presidential election.

Speaking in a video shared on Twitter by Imran Muhammad, an APC chieftain, Yari said: “The election has come, gone and the same zone (Northwest) demonstrated what they are doing and took the lead in terms of producing votes to our president-elect and party.

“Despite the fact that some people were thinking about how to subvert it, we have done our best despite the challenges. Now, we have president (Tinubu) from the South-west, we have the Vice President from the Northeast and the Northwest is waiting. I believe if my zone decides to support me they are not supporting the wrong person. I believe they know my capacity right from party chairman, member of House of Representatives to governor.”

There is a crowded race to succed Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker of the House of representatives. Tony Akowe looks at the strength and weakness of some of the candidates jostling for the plum job.

Order 2, Rule Two, paragraph 3a of the Standing Order of the House of Representatives provides the procedure for election of a Speaker during the inauguration of every Assembly. It states that “a member-elect, addressing the Clerk, shall propose another member-elect with legislative experience as member of the National Assembly to be Speaker and shall move that such member-elect do take the chair as Speaker of the House of Representatives”.

Relying on this provision, several members of the House have begun jostling for the highest office in the Green Chamber. They range from those who have spent one term of four years and have just won re-election for another four years to those who have spent five or more years.

These include current Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase (Plateau, North-Central), Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Aliyu Mukthar Betara (Borno, Northeast), Chairman, House Committee on Land Transport, Tajudeen Abbas (Kaduna, Northwest), Chairman of the House Committee on Water Resources, Sada Soli Jibia (Katsina, Northwest), Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (Plateau, North-Central), Abdulraheem Olawuyi (Kwara, North-Central), Benjamin Okezie Kalu (Abia, Southeast), Chairman of the House Committee on Disability Matters, Mariam Odinaka Onuoha (Imo, Southeast). Others in the race are Abubakar Makki Yalleman and Sani Jaji. 

While some of them have begun moves to actualise their ambition, others are still consulting and are yet to announce their intention. For example, the Deputy Speaker has been on the road consulting with state governors, while waiting for the leadership of APC to announce the zoning formula.

Among those who have indicated interest in the position, Wase and Betara have spent more time in the House than any other, while the former stands out as the only one among them that has played one role or the other in leadership position in the past. He was Deputy House Leader in the eighth Assembly before emerging Deputy Speaker.

But the candidates who held a meeting with Speaker Femi Gbajbiamila with a view to dousing tension are holding on to what they consider their comparative advantage.

Ahmed Idris Wase

Wase has remained one of the most consistent member of the House. His views on issues is well respected by many members. He is coming into the Speakership race with some wealth of experience having served as Deputy Speaker and on many occasions presided over plenary.

His loyalty to the party has remained unquestionable. On many occasion, he has been called to serve in various capacities. He has been in leadership in the House for some time and served in various committees. A graduate of Civil Engineering, Wase served as Chairman House Committee on Federal Character for eight years (during the 7th and 8th Assembly). He has also served as Regional Representative for West Africa in the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) International. In 2017, he was appointed through popular support as the Deputy House Leader to replace the late Buba Jubril who passed on in June of the same year. He is also one of the Deputies of the ECOWAS Parliament. Many believe that the emergence of Wase as Speaker will be a continuation of the current Assembly as he has enjoyed a god working relationship with the Speaker.

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, is one of those who believes that Wase has what it takes to lead the House. He said there was no better time than now for APC to reward the commitment and dedication of Wase to the affairs of the party.

Buni said he will campaign for him to emerge Speaker because of his commitment to the growth and development of the party. “Experience is not studied in the university; it evolves from institutional participation and entrenched ideas which you already have. For us, we know you will work based on experience because you are prepared more than any other. I will work for you because to whom much is given, much is expected,” he said.

Strengths: Wase’s great strength is his experience on the job, having stood in for the Speaker on a number of occasions. He has, more often than not, held the House together when the Speaker was not around. His views on issues and knowledge of the workings of the legislature stand him out. Also, the fact that the North Central zone where he hails from has never produced the Speaker in Nigeria’s history is an added advantage.

Weakness: He does not have the financial muscle of some of the candidates in the race and may believe that he is too temperamental for the position of Speaker. Some members see him as a man who is too rigid and pro-establishment due to his avowed loyalty to the cause of the party in power. The fact that APC lost his state of Plateau is another thing that may count against him.

Muktar Betara Aliyu

Muktar Aliyu Betara represents Biu, Kwaya Kusar, Bayo and Shani Federal Constituency of Borno State. He boasts of being the only member in the House that was returned unopposed during the party primaries because of his contribution to the development of his constituency. His form to contest the 2023 election was bought by his constituents who contributed a whopping N128 million for him.

He has served as chairman of key standing committees in the House since he was first elected on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). They include Army (7th Assembly), Defence (8th Assembly) and Appropriations (9th Assembly). The current assembly’s ability to return the annual budget circle to the January to December is attributed largely to his leadership quality.

A member-elect was quoted to have said: “If the election into the office of Speaker is conducted today on the floor, no one will beat Betara. He enjoyed the support of majority of his returning colleagues and the new members. We are also excited about his candidature because of what we got to know about him. What members want is someone accessible, respectful, intelligent, knowledgeable, humble and kind. Members are looking up to an individual who is a bridge builder across political, religious and ethnic divides and who has the stuff to bring us together. “We don’t want someone who will be more on one side than the other. Betara has been a true friend of his colleagues. He is generous and compassionate to a fault”.

Those who support him believe that as a fifth termer, he understands the intricacies of the legislature and what drives the institution and its players and has an excellent working relationship with his party and those to head the executive.

A ranking member is also quoted to have said: “We are going to vote for Betara. The fact that he is from the Northeast with the Vice President elect is not an issue at all because there is a precedent. If I were the APC, I will not zone the office to anywhere because Members-elect are going to do what is called the  ‘House Project’ to elect someone they prefer as leader to lead them. No room will be given for imposition.”

Strengths: Betara has a very strong relationship with many members of the National Assembly. His handling of the affairs of the House Committee on Appropriation has seen several members often lobbying to be seconded to the committee. Soft spoken and hardly visible on the floor, he is well respected in his constituency in view of his achievement over the years. He is believed to have the resources to go against the party’s zoning formula.

Weakness: Betara’s biggest weakness is the fact that he is from the same zone and state with the Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima. Some also consider his not too visible presence in the House, especially during plenary as a minus. With many pushing for the position of Speaker to be zoned to other parts of the country outside the Northeast, this may also serve as a major weakness for him

Yusuf Adamu Gagdi

Yusuf Adamu Gagdi is a former Deputy Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly. The legislator who currently heads the House Committee on Navy believes he has the capacity to give the House the kind of leadership it deserves.

Gagdi representing Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke Federal Constituency of Plateau State is one of those returning to the House for the second time in the 10th Assembly. He can be said to have some experience in presiding over the legislature having done that at state level.

Twelve of the bills he sponsored have either been passed into law or are at advanced stage. Six of them have been signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He argues that on the principle of equity, justice and fairness, the leadership of APC should zone the position of Speaker to the North-Central zone. He, however, says that as a party man, he is ready to toe the path recommended by the party, but insists it will be wrong for the party to zone the position outside the North-Central zone since the Northwestern part of the country has held the position four times, while the Northeast has also held the position.

Strengths: Gagdi has been one of the most active members of the 9th Assembly and considered to be very close to the current Speaker. The fact that he was given the chairmanship of very important committee of the House and his ability to carry others along is an advantage for him. He stands out as the only member (even though the 9th Assembly was his first at the federal level) to have about six of his private member bills signed by the President.

Weakness: He will be returning to the House for the second time in the 10th Assembly. Some members believe that he has a temper that may work against him. The presence of the Deputy Speaker who is also from Plateau State like him is a potential threat to is ambition.

Tajudeen Abbas

Tajudeen Abbas represents Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State and currently heads the House Committee on Land Transport.  He holds the enviable record of sponsoring the highest number of bills in the chamber. At the last count, he has sponsored about 74 bills – some sought to either create or upgrade existing Federal Medical Centres across the country.

Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, is one of those pushing Abbas for the Speakership. But the argument by some northern interest groups that the Northwest has held the position four times since the return to democracy in 1999 may work against his ambition. But other groups from the North such as Arewa Youths are pushing for him to emerge the Speaker and it is believed that some powerful forces in the North are more disposed him emerging the Speaker.

Though he is among those who met with Gbajabiamila, he is yet to officially declare his intention for the job. But a group of northern professionals under the aegis of Northern Professionals for Good Leadership (NPGL) are rooting for him to emerge the next Speaker. National Coordinator of NPGL, Yakubu Dogo, described Abbas as the best, first amongst his equals and the most qualified and best prepared lawmaker to become the new Speaker.  He also harped on the fact that he is a man of unblemished integrity and is loved and trusted by his colleagues.

While harping on the Abbas’ integrity, Dogo described him as a legislator that is highly favoured by majority of all the returning and new members.

Strengths: Abbas has the backing of people like the Kaduna State governor and the fact that his Northwest zone contributed the highest number of votes to the APC victory at the presidential election, is a plus. He holds the record of the lawmaker with the highest number of bills in the House.

Weakness: The Northwest where Abbas comes from has held the position of Speaker four times since the return to democracy in 1999. This is a major challenge for him and the party. Even though he has sponsored the highest number of bills, he is not very visible in the chamber and his relationship with members is not very known.

Benjamin Okezie Kalu

Benjamin Kalu is the current Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs and represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State. For now, he is the only known face from the Southeast that has publicly indicated his interest in the position of Speaker. He is also one of the few surviving members of the House from the Southeast and the only one from Abia.

He is also one of those who believe that APC should consider competence, capability and loyalty as a prerequisite for the emergence of the next Speaker. Kalu claims to have all the qualities Nigerians are looking for in the new leader of the House, in addition to the fact that the Southeast should be allowed to occupy the position after 40 years. He says Nigerians are looking for a Speaker who can help the country achieve the needed unity and cohesion, being about inclusiveness and being legislative sovereignty and trust to beat on the parliament.

Strengths: Kalu has a good working relationship with a lot of members of the House. The agitation for balance in the leadership of the country is an advantage he enjoys. His ability to work as a party man work in his favour. He is among those advocating for the position to be zoned to the Southeast.

Weakness: The fact that APC had its worst outing since 2015 in the Southeast is a major weakness for his ambition.  Another problem is the agitation for the Senate President to be zoned to the Southeast and the interest of former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, in that position. Both Orji Kalu and Benjamin Kalu are from Abia.

Abdulraheem Olawuyi

Abdulraheem Olawuyi is confident of emerging next Speaker of the House. He is, however, ready to follow the dictates of the party when it comes to zoning. Though he is one of those retuning to the House for third time, he’s willing to step down from the race only if the position is not allotted to the North-Central zone.

He says although zoning was not part of the nation’s constitution, parties adopt it as a way of balancing power. Still, he urges Nigerians to grow beyond the politics of religion and ethnicity.

Olawuyi considers himself the underdog and but the candidate to beat as he will not compromise on the standard of governance.

Strengths: The strength of the lawmaker lies mainly on the APC zoning the position to the North-Central and his relationship with most members.

Weakness: Not much is not known about him outside the confines of of the House even though he will be returning to the chamber for the third time. Another weakness is the fact that his state Kwara has produced a principal officer of the National Assembly. So, even if the position is zoned to the North Central others may not be too quick to hand him the ticket.

Sada Soli Jibia

Sada Soli who represent Kaita/Jibia Federal Constituency of Katsina State is one of the most vocal voices in the House. He will be returning to the chamber for the third time and is lucky to be one of the few members that survived the wave of change.

He once told The Nation that as a party man, he will wait for the official position before deciding whether he will throw his hat into the ring for the Speakership. But he was one of the aspirants who met with Speaker Gbajabiamila to chart way forward.

It is believe that some interest groups are pushing him into the race. One of such groups is group known as Legislative Governance Group. Spokesman of the group, Stanley Ekpa said: “It is an era for service and is time for the party to constitute the leadership of the National Assembly, ensuring power balancing amongst all geo-political zones.” He said their call for Hon. Sada Soli to become the speakership is premised on his credentials of competence, experience, and years of impactful legislative leadership.

Strengths: He is one of the most vocal members of the House and will be returning for the third time. A party man, Soli is one lawmaker that is highly respected by members. He is from the Northwest which gave APC its highest votes in the North.

Weakness: His state, Katsina, is one of the states in the zone that has produced the Speaker. So, if the APC decides to hand the position to the zone, other states may not be willing to allow it go to Katsina again. Also, outgoing president Buhari hails from the state.

Aminu Sani Jaji

A thoroughbred grassroots politician and philanthropist, Jaji was first elected to the House in 2015 to represent Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency of Zamfara State. He was an active member of the Tinubu/Shettima campaign organisation in the run up to the 2023 general election.

Between 2015 and 2019, he was chairman of the House Committee on National Security, Intelligence and Public Safety and also served on several other committees. In that time he sponsored many bills, moved countless motions and was very vocal in debates and deliberations on the floor of the House. A second timer in the chamber, Jaji is yet to declare his intention to contest the Speakership.

Strengths: He played a key role in the campaign that gave the APC victory at the recent general election. Though he was not a member of the 9th Assembly, he has maintained a close relationship with lawmakers.

Weakness: He may not be in tune with current realities in the House. The interest of former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, in the position of Senate President is a minus for him.

Mariam Odinaka Onuoha

The only female member in the race, Princess as most members prefer to call her, is one of the few women in the House as well as one of the five members from the Southeast who survived the wave of change brought be Obidient movement to the area.  She is believed to have the full backing of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma. Representing Isiala Mbano/Okigwe/Onuimo Federal Constituency of Imo State, she heads the House Commttee on Disability Matters.

Aside the fact that she believes the Southeast should be allowed to occupy the position after 40 years, she says there was need for urgent action to bridge the gender gap. She insists her desire to run was not based on just being a woman but on her capacity to deliver the required dividend of democracy.

She said: “I should be given the support as a woman with competence driven with integrity, vision, mission and true display of diversity as well as inclusivity and leadership centred on equality and the capacity to deliver the needed dividends of democracy.”

Strengths: Mariam is young and vibrant. She is always in control of her environment and commands the respect of male colleagues. She is active both on the floor of the House and at committee meetings. Being the only female lawmaker seeking the position is an added advantage – especially if she can galvanise other women in the House to support her ambition.

Weakness: The poor performance of APC in the Southeast and the interest of the zone in the leadership of the Senate are major obstacles in her way.

Some Governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday evening rejected the results of the Primary Election of the party held on Friday in the state.

The aspirants include Senator Smart Adeyemi, former Minister of State Labour and Productivity, Professor Stephen Ocheni, son of late ex-Governor Abubakar Audu, Shuiabu, and a member of the National Working Committee of the APC, Murtala Yakubu Ajaka.

Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved aspirants at a press conference in Abuja, Senator Adeyemi claimed that no election took place to have warranted the declaration of Ahmed Usman Ododo as the Governorship candidate of the APC for the state.

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He called on the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President-elect Senator Kashim Shettima, National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, not to allow the results of the primary election to stand.

Details later…

The United Kingdom (UK) immigration authorities have kept sealed lips over the reported arrest and detention of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, by its officials at Heathrow Airport.
The Nation reports that Obi was detained for questioning on Friday, April 7, when he arrived in London, from Nigeria. 
He was accosted by an immigration officer who handed him a detention note and told him to step aside.
The Obi-Datti Media, in a statement by its Head, Diran Onifade, said Obi was detained by UK immigration officials over alleged impersonation.
According to Onifade, the alleged impostor, who perpetrated the duplication offences, is still at large. 
Also, The Nation had raised a series of posers as regards the reported arrest of Obi which elicited a series of controversies.
Querying what must have gone wrong because Obi had been to the UK a couple of times in the past, The Nation reached out to the UK authorities for comments. 

Read Also: Fresh posers over Peter Obi’s London detention saga

Responding to our correspondent’s enquires, the authorities gave a terse reply saying “We do not comment on individual cases”.
It further disclosed that many journalists had also reached out to confirm the authenticity of the alleged detention. 
Meanwhile, there are further queries as to if Obi still possesses a valid UK access visa owing to the situation.
While the Federal Government has also kept a deafening silence on the issue, many have called for a thorough investigation into the matter and the findings made public.

There is a low turnout of voters in Saturday’s supplementary election in Anambra State for electing the House of Representatives member for Ogbaru Federal Constituency.

As of 8:34am, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) materials were yet to arrive at most of the polling units as they were said to still be in the Local Government Area (LGA).

The Nation however gathered that only those of Atani and Ossamala Units have left the LGA headquarters, while there was a large turnout of voters in the Iyiowa area, with the contending political parties jostling for votes.

The key contending parties in the election are Labour Party (LP)’s, Afam Ogene, who is already leading with over 1,000 votes declared during the general election in February, and his All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), counterpart, Arinze Awogu, purportedly enjoying the state government’s backing.

Altogether, the election will be held in 45 polling units in the constituency.

Meanwhile, the streets of Ogbaru – a densely populated area of the state – are busy with commercial activities, despite restrictions of movement in the area as declared by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba.

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The roads are busy with vehicles, just as many trailers carrying wares are seen offloading their wares into factories and industries in the area.

A trader in the area, who identified himself as Okeoma, said he was aware of the election and the corresponding restrictions, but added that the exercise was not enough reason to debar them from trading.

“We are aware of the election, but that is for politicians. We are here for our daily bread, so let politicians be doing their election, and let us traders be doing our business,” he said.