The Nation
•Lawan, Saraki intensify lobby
•Reconciliation tops agenda of meeting
President Muhammadu Buhari has a big task for the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of today’s meeting with the party’s Senators-elect: ensure that the choice of Senate President creates no crisis in the rank and file.
Two prominent members of the party – Alhaji Ahmed Lawan and Dr.Bukola Saraki are locked in a tricky battle for the position.
Each side claims more support in the Senate than the other.
Buhari has declared that he will not take sides with any of the candidates or pick a preference because “they are two brothers.”
Party sources said last night that reconciliation will top the agenda at today’s meeting.
Senators Lawan and Saraki are intensifying their campaign ahead of the election of the president of the 8th Senate.
The Senate is scheduled for inauguration on Tuesday.
A source said the race for the Senate Presidency featured at the recent meeting between Buhari and APC leaders.
“You know the President met during the week with APC leaders. Although the meeting was behind closed doors the issue of Senate Presidency came up,” the source said.
“At the session, Buhari charged the leaders to get a few things done in such a way that it will not lead to rancour between the candidates. He said after all, ‘they are two brothers.’
The source added: “At the meeting with APC leaders, Buhari insisted that he will not point at any of the two candidates and dictate who should be the President of the Senate.
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“But he told them a few things to do to make peace between Lawan and Saraki.”
It was also gathered last night that the APC leadership in prioritizing reconciliation at today’s meeting had been working on the Lawan-Akume and Saraki groups to attend the heart-to-heart session in Abuja.
One of the two groups has agreed to take part in the shadow election planned by the party,while the other is not favourably disposed to it.
Investigation revealed that the party leadership was uncomfortable with the possible negative effect the wrangling over Senate Presidency may have on the unity of the party.
The party’s leadership was said to be touched following the latest development which has led to governors, elders and APC chieftains being divided along partisan lines.
A highly-placed source said: “There is too much tension in the party on the choice of the next President of the Senate. The APC leadership will not join the fray instead, it will broker peace.
“So, as we prepare for the session, reconciliation is top on the card. We want to appeal to the Lawan-Akume and Saraki groups to consider the contest as a “family issue.”
“What you should expect on Saturday (today) is a trouble-shooting session. We want the 8th Senate to convene in peace.”
Responding to a question, the source said: “If we are able to reconcile, we will go to the inaugural session of the 8th Senate as a united party.”
Another source said: “The party’s reconciliatory intervention became necessary following the rejection of shadow primaries by one of the two groups.
“So, we do not want these differences to widen .”