Bruised by festering crisis in its fold, the All Progressives Congress appeared lacking in words to communicate its distrust over the blatant disregard of its instructions by its own people.
Following the free-for-all at the House of Representatives on Thursday, triggered by APC members who were bent on enforcing the decision of the party, it managed a terse statement that condemned in strong terms what transpired in both chambers of the National Assembly on Thursday.
According to a three paragraph statement signed by the party’s National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, in Abuja, “The party stands by the list by the party to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“The National Caucus, the Board of Trustees and the National Executive Council of the party will meet within the next few days to discuss the evolving developments in the National Assembly.”
The party had written to the Senate, naming Senator Ahmed Lawan from the North-East as its choice for Senate majority leader and Senator George Akume from the North-Central as deputy majority leader.
It also named Senator Sola Adeyeye from the South-West as its preferred candidate for Chief Whip while Senator Abu Ibrahim was named as the party’s choice for the position of Deputy Chief Whip.
However, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki ignored the party’s position and mandated zonal caucuses in the Senate to choose those they wish to represent them for the positions zoned to them.
At the end of the exercise, Senator Ali Ndume (North-East) emerged Majority Leader of the Senate, and Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah (North-West) emerged Deputy Senate Leader.
The South-South caucus adopted Senator France Alimikhena as deputy whip. The crisis in the NAtional Assembly has sharply divided the party, less one month after it assumed the position of the ruling party.
Analysts see what is happening in the National Assembly as a battle for the heart of the party, with the defiant leaders of the both chambers representing elements that want to wrestle the party from the iron grip of its National Leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
