ABUJA – The tussle for the leadership of Senate Presidency in the incoming 8th National Assembly has taken a new dimension as two of the key contenders, Senator Ahmed Lawan and Senator George Akume have agreed to work together.
Under the latest deal struck during the retreat organised for senators-elect by APC, Senator Lawan is being supported to gun for senate president while Akume has accepted to step down for him and to rather run for the position of Deputy Senate President.
The new consensus arrangement which was brokered by some APC senators under the aegis of ‘Senate Unity Forum’ said they comprised senators-elect from various zones of the country.
“We, the Senate Unity Forum comprising senators- elect from various states and various zones of Nigeria, have met, held extensive discussions and resolved to support Senator Ahmed Lawan as Senate Presidentand Senator George Akume as the Deputy Senate President of the 8th Senate,” the group said.
According to the newly elected Senator from Benue State, Senator Banabas Gemade, who read out the statement on behalf of the pro- Lawan group at the Ibeto Hotel lobby in Abuja on Saturday, the decision was made in the collective best interest of the party and the country.
However, not long after declaring their position, the pro- Saraki group of senators led by Senator Dino Malaye addressed Journalists at the hotel dismissing the Lawan’s group as a minority position.
Senator Melaye who stormed the hotel, venue of the retreat being held for APC Senators with 24 senators told Journalists that 35 out of the 59 senators elected on the APC platform have decided to endorse the candidacy of Senator Bukola Saraki for the office of the senate presidency.
He read out a statement titled “Resolution of the adoption of Saraki as sole candidate for the office of the senate president of the 8th Assembly by 35 senators”. (Thisday)
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