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Senate Majority Leader and top contenders for the President of the Senate in the ninth National Assembly, Ahmad Lawan, has denied meeting with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors.

Lawan made the denial in a press release by his campaign group spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, in Abuja during the weekend.

Clarifying a report making the rounds that the Senate Leader defied the directives of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and met with PDP governors in pursuit of his ambition to lead the next Senate President, Senator Sabi Abdullahi said that there was never a time he said Lawan met with PDP governors in his earlier chat with reporters in Abuja.

The press release read in part, “What we said was that we had several interactions between lawmakers and governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC). We stand to be corrected on this.

“We cannot but imagine the height of embarrassment which such a story may have caused Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“Nevertheless, we wish to re-echo our position that the Senator Ahmad Lawan candidacy remains committed to the principle of inclusion for all Senators-elect regardless of party affiliation.

“This position stems from our posture which believes that nation building is a task for all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion, party or other sentiments.

“In demonstrating this, the Senator Lawan for Senate President Group had rounds of interactions with Senators-elect from APC, PDP and YPP during the just concluded orientation program for elected members of the 9th National Assembly.

“As interactions continue, we hope to continue to interface with Senators-elect from the various political parties with a view to giving Nigerians a leadership in the 9th National Assembly that considers national interest a top priority.”

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has thrown its weight behind its members seeking the support of opposition politicians for the upcoming National Assembly leadership election.

The APC in a statement on Sunday said the move is ‘normal’ and does not contradict the party’s position.

“We are inundated with reports of our members in the National Assembly holding consultations with members of the opposition over the election of leaders into the 9th National Assembly. Let me state that our party has no objection to such consultations.

It is a normal democratic practice world over to stretch hands across the divides. And contrary to some media reports, the actions of our members do not contradict the party’s position. APC has a comfortable majority in both chambers, therefore; we have the number to produce the leadership,” the statement signed by Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC Publicity Secretary stated.

The statement came as a reaction to consultations by Ahmed Lawan, the candidate favoured by the party for Senate presidency. The National Assembly leadership election will hold in June.

Mr Lawan’s main challengers, so far, have been other APC senators-elec including Borno senator, Ali Ndume.

According to a report by Punch, Mr Lawan met with three governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a bid to brighten his chances of clinching the coveted position.

Femi Gbajabiamila, the Lagos lawmaker favoured by the APC to become Speaker of the House of Representatives, has also been meeting with PDP lawmakers to seek their support.

The moves have generated controversies as it is perceived as a direct contradiction of the position of the party chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

Mr Oshiomhole while meeting with new Rep members-elect in March boasted that the party had enough numbers and would not share leadership positions with the PDP.

He warned against alliances with the opposition following the party’s 2015 experience.

In 2015, the APC endorsed Mr Lawan for the position of Senate President.

However, he lost to the incumbent, Bukola Saraki, who emerged president of the Senate against his party’s wish.

Mr Saraki was able to secure the loyalty of PDP senators and paid back by ensuring an opposition member becomes his deputy. He later dumped the APC in 2018.
In what looked like a contradiction to Mr Oshiomhole’s position, the party in the Sunday statement said such consultation is important as the party does not have a two-thirds majority.

“But democracy recognises the importance of the opposition. Especially when you do not have two-third which would be required at some very critical situations. For us as a ruling party, we understand that a stable and peaceful National Assembly would enhance our capacity to deliver more for the people of Nigeria.

“So the party is not averse to negotiation by Senator Ahmed Lawan and our other senators-elect working to fulfil the position taken by our party.

“It is important to note that one of the key considerations for adopting him as the party’s candidate for the Senate Presidency is his ability to carry everyone along. On top of that, the party has confidence in him not to compromise the progressive ideology of APC. So clearly, Senator Ahmed Lawan is capable of conducting his negotiations within the prism of APC’s objectives.”

The party said it would soon release its zoning arrangements for the principal positions of the incoming 9th National Assembly in both chambers.

Premium Times

The Senator Ahmad Lawan for Senate President Group has said that their candidate is committed to stability and inclusiveness in the 9th National Assembly if voted into office.

A statement issued by the group’s spokesman, Sen Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said Ahmed Lawan has had several interactions between lawmakers and governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the ruling party level and women and doesn’t discriminate against non-members of the APC.

“We stand to be corrected on this,” Abdullahi said while disassociating the group from a story in a national daily, which he said, ‘has caused embarrassment to the Governors of the Peoples’ Democratic Party.

“Nevertheless, we wish to re-echo our position that the Senator Ahmad Lawan candidacy remains committed to the principle of inclusion for all Senators-elect regardless of party affiliation.”

“This position stems from our posture which believes that nation building is a task for all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion, party or other sentiments.”

“In demonstrating this, the Senator Lawan for Senate President Group had rounds of interactions with Senators-Elect from APC, PDP and YPP during the just concluded orientation program for elected members of the 9th National Assembly.

“As interactions continue, we hope to continue to interface with Senators-Elect from the various political parties with a view to giving Nigerians a leadership in the 9th National Assembly that considers national interest a top priority,” the statement added.

It is no longer news that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed Senator Ahmed Lawan from Yobe State as the party’s candidate for the position of President of the Senate in the 9th National Assembly. The party hinged its decision to field Lawan on the outcome of extensive consultations with members-elect, stakeholders as well as the cognate experience of the Senator. Expectedly, Senator Lawan has since hit the ground running alongside his campaign team.

During a campaign visit to Lagos earlier in the week, he unveiled his campaign slogan, “A Senate and National Assembly that works for Nigeria.” According to him, the main agenda is to have a Senate and National Assembly that will work with the Nigerian people. “We need a National Assembly that will look at Nigeria as its constituency. We want a Senate and a National Assembly that will maintain cordiality, synergy and cooperation with other arms of government,” he stated, adding that the welfare of Nigerians must not be compromised, stressing that jobs and wealth should not be concentrated in few hands.

In his words, “you can’t sleep with two eyes closed if wealth does not go round.” Senator Lawan said the 9th Senate should assist the country by helping President Muhammadu Buhari achieve his agenda in the areas of security, economy, job creation and anti-corruption battles.

According to him, the concept of separation of powers should not translate into an unnecessary rift that will cripple the harmonious working relationship amongst the various organs of government to the detriment of the country. The relationship amongst these organs of government, he stressed, should be characterized by cooperation, collaboration, partnership and synergy.

“We may disagree. Our perspectives may differ. We don’t go to the market square to settle our differences. We should be able to meet and discuss issues and make compromise in national interest. That is the way to grow democracy. We may disagree, but the disagreement should not escalate,” he declared.

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On what qualifies him for the exalted office, Lawan said his progressive stance over the years would serve as a major advantage. “I have been in National Assembly for almost 20 years. I have served in the House of Representatives for eight years and in the Senate for 12 years. I am a progressive. I was an APP and later ANPP House of Representatives member and I am now in the APC. I believe in progressive politics, in ensuring that ordinary people – the masses-get support and opportunities to actualize their potentials and dreams. We should support entrepreneurship and business to grow and thrive for employment to boom.”

 The progressive disposition of Senator Lawan as well as his people-oriented policy plans has not gone unnoticed by some members –elect and members of his campaign team. Senator Barau Jibrin from Kano North, who is the campaign Secretary, said with Senator Lawan’s agenda, Nigerians should brace up for a people friendly 9th Assembly.

“You can see that apart from his cognate experience, Lawan means well for the Nigerian people, especially the ordinary Nigerians. Therefore, we should expect a preponderance of people-friendly legislations coming out of the Senate. And this is exactly what Nigerians are clamoring for at the moment.”

 In his reaction, the Chairman of the Campaign committee, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi from Kebbi North declared that Senator Lawan, “is eminently qualified for the position” and has the capacity “ to lead a Senate that will work with the Nigerian people’’.

For the Senator – elect on the platform of the YPP, Ifeanyi Uba, Senator Lawan deserves all the support he can get from all his colleagues and Nigerians in general.

Justifying the inter-party endorsements flowing in for Lawan, Chairman, Senate committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Sabi Abdullahi declared that the PDP will also support Lawan’s ambition to lead the 9th senate.

Thisday

Governors of the APC have reportedly endorsed Senator Ahmad Lawan’s for the Senate presidency in the 9th National Assembly

Senator Lawan is the party’s and President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice for the job

He is however, facing stiff resistance from Senator Ali Ndume from Borno state

Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have reportedly endorsed Senator Ahmad Lawan’s for the Senate presidency in the 9th National Assembly.

According to The Nation, some of them  last week met in Abuja on how to push “the Lawan agenda.”

Lawan is the party and President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice for the job, but is facing stiff resistance from Senator Ali Ndume from Borno state.

Lawan was at the meeting, which was said to be part of steps to keep APC caucuses united ahead of the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly.

The meeting was geared towards selling Lawan’s candidature to all senators-elect, irrespective of political parties; and debunk the notion that Lawan is being imposed.

It was gathered that upon endorsement of Lawan by the party last week, the president mandated members to “sell the qualities of the nominee to Nigerians, especially senators-elect.”

One of the organisers of the meeting, who spoke on the issue, said: “The meeting was informed by the directive of the president to the governors to see the Lawan agenda through in the interest of the country.

“We want to change the narrative being sponsored by the opposition PDP that Lawan’s choice and zoning amounted to imposition.

“Most senators-elect may not be aware that the president actually raised an eight-man search team which recommended Lawan and a few others.

“It was after weighing options that the president opted for Lawan. It is not a case of the Executive breathing down on senators-elect and members of the House of Representatives-elect.

“The governors met with Lawan on how to project his inherent qualities, especially his rich legislative experience, and the need to build inter-party confidence/ collaboration before the 9th National Assembly is inaugurated.

“We do not want the race for the office of the President of Senate to be beclouded by sentiments. This is the time of merit and we want to stick out our neck for these candidates we have recommended.”

APC leaders are said to be persuading Ndume not to go against Lawan because “the president and the party have spoken.”

On Ndume, a senator-elect said: “Although a strategist of the president has had audience with him, he is unrelenting in his ambition to contest for the seat.

The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Chief Osita Okechukwu, says Sen. Ahmad Lawan and Mr Femi Gbajabiamila being Senate President and Speaker, House of Representatives would bring progress to National Assembly.

Okechukwu, who is also Administrative Secretary of Buhari Support Organisation and Zikist-Buharist-Movement, said this on Sunday while speaking with newsmen at Nkerifi community in Nkanu East Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State.

He was speaking at the sideline a wedding ceremony of one Mr Tochi Eze saying that in his honest opinion other lawmakers should allow Lawan and Gbajabiamila be.

According to him, without prejudice to the zoning convention, Lawan and Gbajabiamila have paid their dues in the progressive camp.

They have been consistent, steadfast and have persevered in the struggle which made our victory possible.

They are our arrowhead in the National Assembly, Okechukwu, who is a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ardent support of President Muhammadu Buhari for over 20 years, said.

On complain of other senators that method adopted by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of APC, lacked finesse and is less than democratic, Okechukwu appealed to APC bigwigs to support Buhari’s wish for the National Assembly to stand.

May I use this golden opportunity to appeal to my dear friend distinguished Sen. Ali Ndume; my big brother, Sen. Orji Kalu, and indeed distinguished Senators and members of political parties to support Buhari in his last leg.

They should faithfully allow Buhari’s proposal as per the leadership of the National Assembly to stand.

Please leave Comrade Chairman’s political correctness out of the equation, for in the fullness of time the administration will be remembered as Buhari’s administration, not Oshiomhole’s administration, he said.

Okechukwu, however, noted that he is a supporter of robust legislature, which the experience and diligence of Lawan and Gbajabiamila would bring to the table.

Any day any time, one is an avid supporter of robust legislature, that is why I support the independence of State Houses of Assembly. Luckily, Buhari has placed independence of State Assembly on the front burner.

All one is saying is that with mounting gross unemployment, broken infrastructure and high despondency in the land, Buhari needs all hands on deck to consolidate the development of critical infrastructure he has embarked upon.

He needs seamless legislation to advance the 5,000 kilometers of federal roads, 5,000 kilometers of Standard Gauge Rail lines and additional 5,000 megawatts of electricity.

The sage says once beaten twice shy, he was stung in his first term, he said.

The VON DG, however, assured the people of the South-East of Buhari’s resolve to run an inclusive government, which he has reiterated many times in his post electoral victory meetings with various groups lately.

At any rate, outside critical infrastructure like Eastern Corridor Railways, 2nd Niger Bridge, Enugu Coal, Eastern gas pipeline, agrarian revolution and similar projects nationwide which cordial bi-partisan National Assembly will engender, motivate and guarantee.

There are other strategic offices outside the chambers of the National Assembly to compensate such geopolitical zones, he added.

Next to the exalted Presidency of Nigeria for which President Muhammadu Buhari has just earned a resounding re-election endorsement, the Senate Presidency is undoubtedly strategically next in line in our democracy, as the apex position in the all important legislative arm of government.

It is therefore understandable that a lot of attention and discussion centers around the question of who should take-over from Senator Bukola Saraki who lost his bid to return to the senate.

For the ruling APC, there is a compelling need for meticulous circumspection in deciding how this important position should be filled and who is most suitable among those jostling for recognition, against the background of acrimony and sabotage that accompanied the process that saw the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki and almost crippled the party and government.

This delicate situation can only be compounded by the “mad rush” by several senators to capture the coveted seat, no doubt propelled more by the prestige and perks attached to it than the heavy burden of patriotism and statesmanship it places on the occupant.

There is however every indication that the prevailing circumstances, informed by the reverberating precedence, will eventually sort the wheat from the chaff as well as take control of the process to ensure that there is no repeat of the political blunders of the past.

In this context it is very instructive that short-lists are being made by pundits, pre-empting the selection process by nominating preferred candidates.

Actually, the short-listing has led to a convergence of well-considered choice that must have been greatly-influenced by previous political pitfalls and certainly focused on adopting the most strategically appropriate candidate to restore political correctness and due process of party supremacy in the affairs of its delegates in the legislature.

It cannot be for nothing that virtually all the well-publicized short-lists for senate presidency top their lists with Senator Ahmed Lawan.

Senator Ahmed Lawan’s role as sole anchor in saving the APC from total dismemberment at the peak of the Saraki-led insurgency will be difficult to ignore in considering candidates for the next senate presidency.

He exhibited impressive pedigree as one of the most experienced top-ranking senators with an impeccable record of service and high moral standing, worthy of association with the principled politics of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Indeed, if the ultimate goal of the party is to restore respect, public confidence, global respect, peace and harmonious relationship between the executive and the National Assembly, especially the Senate, for delivering good governance while upholding party supremacy, Ahmad Lawan should be the man.

He provided excellent leadership at the most difficult times without losing the loyalty of his colleagues or the APC party executives.

The challenge of exiting the era of cloak-and-dagger politics of unbridled ambition and ego-driven manipulation of the liaison between the Senate and the Presidency that characterized Bukola Saraki’s tenure as Senate President, and transiting smoothly into one for the enthronement of the much desired consolidated collaboration of APC senators in harmonious pursuit of the overriding success of the party and government at federal and state levels, needs  the level headed, excellent temperament and firmness of Senator Ahmed Lawan to achieve.

The unique sterling leadership qualities and advantage of proven experience and capacity acquired by Senator Ahmed Lawan to qualify eminently for Presidency of the Senate is additionally augmented by his geo-political constituency in the North East zone.

As the zone that gave the APC massive votes at the Presidential elections, it is only politically correct for the party to capitalize on this by elevating Senator Ahmed Lawan accordingly, especially considering that it has never produced a senate president.

To complete the sanitation process in the transition, it is pertinent to highlight another distinguished virtue of Senator Ahmed Lawan, as one who has never been invited or tried in any court of law by any security or law enforcement agencies for allegation of any wrong doing.

For the Senate as an institution in dire need of new public perception and exemplary leadership, Senator Ahmed Lawan will be a befitting President, immaculately comparable to President Buhari as a loyal lieutenant in the expected all out war against corrupt politicians!

Whether short-listing or sorting the wheat from the chaff, the search for the next Senate President begins and ends with Senator Ahmad Lawan, a nationally recognized and accepted bridge builder, most capable of restoring the dignity and repositioning the senate with the depth of his legislative knowledge and experience, intelligence and the advantage of age on his side, being neither too young nor too old. Indeed, for the 9th Assembly to succeed it will need Senator Ahmed Lawan, the “legislative encyclopedia” as he is aptly referred to by his colleagues and the media. He is simply the most appropriate, socially and politically for the job.

Ogele  Nwizu wrote this piece from Awka, Anambra State

Senator Danjuma Goje has been asked by some former governors to accept President Buhari’s choice of Ahmad Lawan for Senate president

 A former governor who pleaded not to be named said Goje is qualified to lead the Senate but they don’t want him to disagree with Buhari

 The president and some leaders of the APC earlier had a meeting with Senator Goje over the position

Emerging reports have claimed that some former governors are beginning to persuade their former colleague, Senator Danjuma Goje, to accept President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice of Ahmad Lawan for Senate president.

The Nation reports that Lawan, met with some senators-elect and pleaded with them to give him a chance.

A senator-elect said: “The campaign team of the Senate Leader reached out to some of us across party lines. I am new, but I am impressed by his experience on legislative business. Let us see how it goes.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) former governors, including some of them who are senators, have opted to back Buhari’s decision on Lawan. Some of the former governors include Ahmed Sani Yerima, Adamu Aliero, Abdullahi Adamu, Aliyu Wammako, George Akume, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Kabiru Gaya and Godswill Akpabio.

The ex-governors have sent a delegation to Goje to reconsider his position. Although two of them were with Goje for what was termed “a social gathering”, it was unclear whether they were the ones who spoke on behalf of their colleagues.

A former governor, who pleaded not to be named, said: “It is true we are trying to avoid cracks in APC over the ninth Senate president and some of us have met on the president’s choice and how to prevail on Goje to sacrifice his aspiration.

“I can tell you that some of us have opened talks with him. We are talking to him; we are mounting pressure. We also decided to send a delegation to him.

“As a matter of right, Goje is qualified to lead the Senate but we do not really want him to disagree with the president. And he is not a leader who believes in confrontation. Our intervention is just a follow-up to the audience between the president and Goje. The former governor of Gombe state is yet to make any categorical statement on his ambition.”

Another source said: “Since a presidential intervention is already involved, we have deliberately asked Lawan to leave the initiative to President Buhari.

“The truth is that the President’s meeting with Goje underscored the enormous respect he has for the ex-governor. Lawan is ready to meet with Goje but after the elders and the ex-governors have brokered a deal.”

A source at the session quoted Lawan as saying: “Give me a chance, I will provide quality leadership, I will carry every Senator along in whatever I do.”

Three Kano state senators have endorsed Senator Ahmed Lawan for the Senate president’s seat

The senators are Barau Jubrin, Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya and senator-elect Malam Ibrahim Shekrau

 The senators said they endorsed Lawan because he is the most experienced and most ripe for the job of the Senate presidency

Three senators from Kano state have announced their support for Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan, to become the Senate president of the 9th senate.

The three senators, namely Barau Jubrin, Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya and senator-elect Malam Ibrahim Shekrau, made the statement when they visited.

They claimed that Lawan is the most experienced and most ripe for the job of the Senate presidency, going by intentional parliamentary best practices.

The African Journalist  reports that the endorsement was announced when Barau Jubrin, who is the secretary of Ahmed Lawan Campaign Organization, led other members of the campaign train to the residence of Senator-elect Shekarau.

Senator Jubrin said: “The National Assembly leadership is elected based on international parliamentary best practices. What used to be the case was a beat appellation to that parliamentary best practices.

“In every parliament, leaders are elected based on ranking, based on experience, and once a parliament goes by election and the party that gets the majority in that election produces the leader, and in this case, the majority leader in such a parliament automatically becomes the Senate president or the Speaker, as the case may be.

“Now, Ahmed Lawan is the current leader and he will be the oldest senator, the most ranked Senator in the 9th Senate. He was a two-time member of House of Representatives and four-time member of the Senate. So, he is the most experienced and most ripe for the job of the Senate presidency, going by intentional parliamentary best practices.”

Serving and elected Senators of Niger State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Saturday endorsed Ahmad Lawan for the Senate president seat.

The endorsement was contained in a statement issued in Minna and signed by three senators, Mohammed Sani Musa – Niger East, Sabi Abdullahi – Niger North and Senator-elect, Muhammad Bima-Enagi – Niger-south in Minna.
According to them, Mr Lawan has an impeccable character and undeniable wealth of experience as a lawmaker to drive the aspirations and vision of the 9th Senate towards achieving its mandate.

“There is no doubt that Lawan has also demonstrated stability, reliability and fidelity towards ensuring sound and people-oriented legislation at the Senate as he demonstrated in the build-up to the 2019 general elections where despite the pressure from the opposition, remained resolute and committed towards promoting the good course of the Senate as the apex law-making organ in the country,” they said.

“Sen. Lawan is one Nigerian who has remained detribalised, bi-partisan and accommodating to varying views as long as they are positive to the wellbeing of Nigerians.

“He has demonstrated this in his support for legislations sponsored by lawmakers who might not have been in the same political parties with him at the floor of the senate.

“Sen. Lawan will promote homogeneity of purpose at the 9th denate and foster unity amongst distinguished senators as well as other arms of government, in a manner that will add value to good governance in Nigeria.

“Lawan is a man without any form of primordial sentiment. Even though each of us represents our various constituencies, his interest is in the development of Nigeria and Nigerians as a whole.

“So, we believe he embodies outstanding qualities that are germane to the success of the 9th senate and the government as a whole. Therefore, we join our colleagues in endorsing his senate presidency ambition.

“Lawan has the qualities and leadership skills to harmonise the 9th assembly and promote effective legislative processes that will enhance the qualities of laws for optimal political growth of the country.

“We believe therefore that our party, the ruling APC’s decision to endorse Lawan for the presidency of the senate is a wise and timely decision that has great benefits not only for the party but for the next phase of governance as a whole in the country.

“His display of honesty, sincerity of purpose, respect for divergent views, loyalty to and believe in party supremacy as well as proven experience in the business of lawmaking makes him the obvious choice for the legislature’s top job,” they said.( NAN)