Different factions have reportedly emerged within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC over its bid to enthrone the new leadership of the incoming Ninth National Assembly.
It was learnt that a faction loyal to Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, is contending with loyalists of the party’s national leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, in the run up to the inauguration of the new National Assembly.
Sources said that the faction being led by el-Rufai, including some governors and Ministers are opposed to the planned takeover of the Ninth Assembly by Tinubu in preparation for his perceived 2023 presidential contest.
Though the national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is said to be working in sync with the Tinubu camp, it was said that Oshiomhole’s personal agenda to enthrone a South-South person into the position of Deputy Senate President is threatening to put him in conflict with Tinubu.
The party is moving to zone the position to the South-South on the pretext of the fact that the South-West had produced the Vice President.
Whereas the South-West boasts of at least nine ranking Senators-elect, the South South has only two Senators with the preferred candidate coming from Oshiomhole’s Edo State.
It was gathered that, while the team opposed to Tinubu may not fight the choice of Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, as Senate President, they are already plotting to scuttle the chances of the South-West producing the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Oshiomhole had announced the choice of Senator Lawan and Hon Femi Gbajabiamila as the anointed candidates for Senate President’s and Speaker’s positions.
Sources close to the party and the National Assembly said that the grand plot that is gaining ground among incoming members of the House of Representatives is to stop the South-West from producing the Speaker.
“The plot is gaining ground and irrespective of the preferred candidates of the party, the forces behind the plot are going ahead. They are ready to convince the required number of Reps members in June to vote their choice,” a lawmaker said.
He added that while the party is going loud with its choices, those plotting to alter the arrangement are going underground.
Tribune
