Row over n’assembly principal officers worsens as NWC members ‘oppose’ Adamu

At least three members of the national working committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) do not align with Abdullahi Adamu, national chairman of the party, over his position on the selection of the national assembly principal officers.

On Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced Opeyemi Bamidele, senator representing Ekiti central, as the majority leader, and David Umahi, lawmaker representing Ebonyi south, as the deputy majority leader.

In the house of representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker, unveiled Julius Ihonvbere, lawmaker representing Owan east/Owan west of Edo, as the majority leader; and Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims, legislator representing Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro of Kogi, was named the deputy majority leader.

Reacting to the development, Adamu had said the leadership of the party was not carried along in the nomination of the principal officers.

The APC chairman spoke on Tuesday evening during a meeting with some APC governors.

Commenting on the matter, a member of the APC NWC told TheCable that Adamu was cautioned by the governors to resolve the matter with the national assembly leadership.

“During the meeting, many governors who spoke on the issue cautioned the chairman and urged him to reach out to the leadership of the national assembly and resolve the matter amicably,” said the NWC member who did not want to be named.

“It was unanimously believed at the meeting that the emergence of leaders of the two chambers of the national assembly is with the blessing of the president.

“It would appear that the national chairman has made up his mind not to work harmoniously with President Asiwaju as he repeatedly keeps disputing decisions he has made towards constituting his government.

“We, therefore, distance ourselves and the NWC from such actions that clearly undermine the smooth take-off of the APC federal government under the leadership of President Asiwaju and call on the national chairman to desist from such action.”

TheCable had reported that the president met with Adamu and Iyiola Omisore, secretary of the party, on Wednesday evening.

The agenda of the meeting was not divulged, but it is believed to be connected to the issue of the national assembly principal officers.