More intrigues over senate presidency as group endorses Goje

The North-East Youths Development Association has endorsed Danjume Goje, senator representing Gombe central, as the next senate president.

The protesters besieged the national assembly premises on Thursday and asked the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to not only zone the position to the north-east but to back the senator for the job.

The group carried various placards with inscriptions calling on lawmakers as well to support Goje, a former governor of Gombe, who they said would “make the legislature viable” in Nigeria.

Bello Ambo, chairman of the association, said the senator is “qualified” to take over from Bukola Saraki.

“His wealth of experience and managerial prowess gannered right from his days as federal minister and of late the Governor of Gombe state,” he said.

“Being a third-term ranking senator he has the ability and capacity to lead the 9th Senate effectively.

“Considering his wealth of experience as a proven administrator and also the chairman of the Senate committee on appropriation he is conversant with rigours of the Senate.”

The APC is expected to produce the next senate president after emerging with 25 seats more than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the red chamber.

The party leadership as well as President Muhammadu Buhari have endorsed Ahmad Lawan from Yobe state for the job.

This has, however, not stopped other lawmakers from indicating their interest, including Ali Ndume from Borno state.