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Coalition of youth organisations from the six states of the South-west region under the aegis of Congress of South West Youths (COSWY) called on lawmakers elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the ninth National Assembly to respect and honor the directive of the national leadership of the party on the zoning of the leadership of both the Senate and House of Representatives.

The coalition also said it was the turn of the Southwest to produce the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and would be a great disservice to deny the region the position as doing so would cause a lot of distraction to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Youth organisations in the coalition are Asiwaju Grassroot Foundation, Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide, All Progressives Youth Forum, Yoruba Council of Youth (Worldwide), Project Loud among others.

The Convener of the group, Ahmed Shomoye, while addressing journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State, called on Senator Ali Ndume and others vying for the next Senate president as well as Hon. Umaru Bago and others with the intent of contesting for speakership of the House of Representatives to step down and align with the position of the national leadership of the APC, stating that the picking of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Senator Ahmad Lawan as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President of the ninth National Assembly by the leadership of the party, is the best for the country at the moment as they have the pedigrees to occupy the positions.

Sustainable Democracy Agenda (SUDA), a political group, says the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the position of President of the 9th Senate, Sen. Ahmed Lawan enjoys the support of the majority of voters in the country.

The Convener of SUDA, Ibrahim Usman, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen  in Abuja.

Usman said a simple survey conducted by the group all over the country, showed that Lawan got the support of the majority of Nigerians to occupy the exalted seat.

He said the survey which also adopted a simple random sampling technique, asked respondents of voting age who among the three notable contestants for the position would they have supported.

According to him, the result of the survey conducted by the SUDA indicated that 75 per cent of voters are for Sen. Lawan.

He further disclosed that 12.5 per cent supported Sen. Goje, 9.8 per cent said they supported Ndume, while the remaining 2.5 per cent of the respondents remained undecided.

Usman listed the candidates as Sen.Ahmad  Lawan, Sen. Mohammed Danjuma Goje and Sen Mohammed Ali Ndume.

The convener said the survey had shown that the choice of Lawan was not a mere ‘imposition’ by the leadership of the APC as claimed by those against the decision.

According to him, it is ”a resolution that enjoys the popular support of the majority of Nigerians.

”By the result of our survey, we believe the action of the Adams Oshiomhole-led APC is in line with the expectation of most voters.

”We, therefore, call on Senators-elect to unanimously adopt Sen. Lawan as President of the 9th Senate in line with their role as true representatives of the people,“ he said.

He also advised the leadership of APC not to relent in engendering a viable and responsible leadership for the 9th National Assembly.

“The ruling party should ignore antics aimed at distracting it from doing the right thing.”

He called on the opposition parties in the National Assembly to concentrate on playing the role of a vibrant opposition. (NAN)

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ndokwa nation of Delta have lent their support to the party’s choice of Sen. Ahmad Lawan (Yobe-North East) for the top job of the President of the Senate.

The group made its position on the contentious issue known in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Chief Paul Odili, and issued to newsmen at the end of the its meeting  in Asaba.

The group also urged the national leadership of the party to endorse Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta- South-South) for the position of the Deputy Senate President.

The statement read in part, “that after due consideration, we, the Ndokwa Nation APC stakeholders, throw our support behind steps taken by the party to ensure stability of the 9th National Assembly by adopting Lawan as the senate president.

Odili stated, “We call on all the APC senators to rally round the decision of the party to ensure stability and cohesiveness of the National Assembly and avoid the mistakes of the past.

He also stated that there were indications that the party was working on a zoning arrangement for the various offices for the 9th National Assembly billed to be inaugurated in June.

“We are at this point in time urging President Muhammadu Buhari and leaders of our party, our Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, and other stakeholders, “to consider the South-South in the zoning of top offices in the senate.”

“Looking at the performance of APC in the zone, we believe that the APC in Delta has recorded tremendous progress, considering where the party was in 2015 and today.

Odili contended that “the position of senate president or deputy senate president is most equitable” for Delta, given that it polled 220,000 votes for the president, being the highest in the zone.

“And for that reason, we canvass that Omo-agege, a ranking senator and strong believer in the policies of change and Next level of the APC, should be considered for the deputy senate president,” he said.

The group described Omo-Agege as “a smart lawyer, an able administrator and a brilliant legislator, widely loved in his constituency and across the entire state.

“We also believe that such a position will stabilise APC in Delta and enable it to further consolidate on the progress it is making to break the jinx of a one-party rule in the state,” the group further stated.

 Senate leader, Ahmad Lawan, has been endorsed for Senate president by a socio-political group

 According to the group, Lawan was a more qualified candidate than any of the names mentioned eyeing the position

– The group said the presidency must indicate strong interest in the leadership of the National Assembly to avoid the misfortunes of the eighth assembly

A socio-political group under the aegis of ‘Yobe Youth Coalition For Advancement of Democracy’, on Thursday, April 4, declared support for candidature of Senate leader, Ahmad Lawan, for Senate president, asking other contenders to step down.

African Journalist reports that Mustapha Bukar, Yobe coordinator of the coalition, made this endorsement known in Damaturu.

The coalition said the Senate leader has unequal qualities and high commitment to good governance more than any of the names mentioned eyeing the Senate presidennt

It said the APC and the presidency must indicate strong interest in the leadership of the National Assembly to avoid the misfortunes of the eighth assembly, which was characterised by personality conflicts.

The group said: “At a time when the Senate leadership was fighting the presidency and delaying passage of budget, Senator Lawan had been consistent and showed a lot of concern for the interests of Nigerians

“We do not have any more time to waste on unwarranted confrontations and controversies as recorded in the last four years”

Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, has promised to run a bi-partisan National Assembly if elected as Senate President.

He made his intention known while speaking with journalists in Abuja recently. His comments formally announce his intention to run for Senate Presidency in the 9the Senate.

Despite occasional disagreements, Mr Lawan said the ability of principal officers to carry everybody along had always been the secret of legislative chambers to delivering meaningfully on their mandate.

However, he said that everything should be done in the interest of the people, adding that, “we are senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, even though coming from different parts of Nigeria.

“When we legislate, we legislate for the entire country and therefore we need to remain united and focused.

“I was in a position for 16 years from 1999 to 2015 before I became part of the ruling party; I am glad, I thank God for that.

“But even as an opposition, we knew where we opposed the government and where we cooperated with them,’’ NAN quotes the legislator as saying.
He noted that every legislator works in the interest of the people not based on sentiments.

“For instance, will there be any legislator who will oppose any legislation that will enhance the performance of our armed forces or the Police to provide security?
“No! Whether you are All Progressives Congress (APC) or People Democratic Party or Young Progressive Party, we have the same people to serve.

“So, we will work to ensure that we achieve and attain that desired unity within the chamber. There will be equity and fairness in our affairs.

“I am sure that once we are able to unite around national interests we will contribute meaningfully to governance’’.
Mr Lawan, who represents Yobe North is vying for the position for the second time. In 2015, the APC endorsed him following zoning of the position of the president of the Senate to the North-east.

However, he did not make it as the incumbent, Bukola Saraki, emerged president of the Senate though against his party’s wish.

Mr Saraki’s reign was characterised by constant face-off between the executive and legislature even before he dumped the APC in 2018.

On Legislature, Executive relationship, Mr Lawan said while the separation of powers was designed to ensure checks and balances among the arms of government, the ultimate goal was to serve the people.

He emphasised that to achieve cordial relationship with the executive, the lawmakers ought to work in unison.
“I always say that the Constitution provides for separation of powers and I always define separation of powers may be unorthodox but I believe in that.
“The separation of powers does not amount to the independence of government.

“It is the specialisation of the arms of government. The executive cannot function without the legislature and the legislature needs to work with the executive in a cordial manner.

“However, that does not take away that special function of oversight. It does not take away ensuring that what we do in the legislature is to support the executive.

“Who says we will never disagree with the executive; by constitutional design, we are meant to disagree, hold different perspectives from time to time on issues.
“But when we disagree, I always say, we should sit down and look at issues and take a decision that is in national interest, ” he said.

Mr Lawan promised to respect the wish of the party, should the position be zoned to a region other than the North-east.
He said, “I am a loyal party man. I will respect the decisions of my leaders and my party.”

Mr Lawan ruled out the possibility of crisis in the APC over the leadership of the 9th National Assembly.
“We are not in any way thinking that we will have crises; it is not what we are envisaging at all’’.

“But let me say that our party, the APC, must have learnt its lessons, and therefore, the party leadership will do something differently this time.

“I am sure our leaders will try to manage this huge success of the APC.
“And I have no doubt the party will find us compliant and very supportive of its programmes and those of the administration under President Muhammadu Buhari,’’ he said.

Also at the forum, Anambra South Senator-elect, Mr Ifeanyi Ubah, declared support for Mr Lawan.

Elected under the Young Progressives Party (YPP) on February 23, Mr Ubah is one of the 11 senators-elect who were with Mr Lawan at an interactive session with journalists in Abuja.

Mr Ubah told journalists that Mr Lawan is a good man with the best experience in the Senate, hence his decision to pitch tent with him.

“Lawan is a very good man, and has the best experience, I believe in the Senate. For me it is a free world, it is democracy.
“So, I am free, and I am pinching (pitching) tent with him because I believe he is the kind of leader we need in the 9th Senate,’’ Ubah said.

Asked why he is associating with a member of the APC widely seen as an unwanted party in the South East, Mr Ubah said he could not be an island in the Senate.

“It is a choice anybody has to make. I can’t be alone in the Senate. If any group comes up and wants to lead the Senate, it is a duty for me to look at them and see if I can pinch (pitch) tent with them.”

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Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, on Wednesday assured Senator Ahmad Lawan Presidency will be all inclusive irrespective of political and party leanings.

Abudllahi, who is also the spokesperson Ahmad Lawan for Senate Presidency, assured that Lawan would garner the votes of more than 73 senators on the day of inauguration.

He told reporters in Abuja that the aspiration of Lawan is to have a Senate that will work for Nigeria and Nigerians.

He said that Lawan has been working assiduously to talk to senators-elect across party lines on why he should be elected.

Abdullahi noted that given the track record of Senator Lawan in his 16 years of being in the National Assembly, the Yobe North senator understands the feelings of the opposition “because he was one of them before and he will not abuse that privilege.”

He said the notion by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators that they would be excluded should be withdrawn forthwith.

What they were planning to do, he said, is to have a Senate that will be for all senators.

Abdullahi said: “Senator Ahmad Lawan is leaving no stone unturned in talking to his colleagues across party lines. Let me say very clearly that the nature of parliament is such that you cannot shut anybody out. It is not possible.

“I want Nigerians to look at those of us who are the actors and take note of what we say. That is the most important thing.

“I want to submit and assure Nigerians that by the special grace of God, if Senator Ahmad Lawan gets there, he will run an all- inclusive government because the Senate is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The 109 senators are individual senators representing the various senatorial districts in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They have inalienable rights to be heard and listened to for government to work for them no matter our differences and no matter the sentiments that we share.

“When we took our oath of office, we pledged not to allow personal interest to override the public interest.

“Let me say very clearly that our aspiration is to have the senate that works for Nigeria.

“I know that given the track records of Senator Lawan in his 16 years of being in the National Assembly, he understands the feelings of the opposition because he was one of them before and he will not abuse that privilege.

“The notion from the PDP side that they would be excluded should be withdrawn forthwith. What we are planning to do is to have a senate that will be for all senators.

“I can confirm to you that on the day of inauguration, Senator Ahmad Lawan will garner more than two third of the votes.

“Not less than 73 from both the APC and the PDP. It is a matter of engagement. We don’t need to flaunt those who are with us. We have to respect our colleagues.

“We are engaging them one-on-one. We want to work together with the executive because we have just one Federal Government in Nigeria and we must move the country forward.

“We are talking to our colleagues, working on our colleagues who will vote on the floor of the Senate on the day of inauguration.

“By the grace of God, so far so good, we are very much convinced, based on the reception that is being accorded during our campaigns.

“We have been able to reach a lot of our colleagues except those who are outside the country.”

The spokesman of Senator Ahmad Lawan, who is vying for the office of the Senate President of ninth Senate, Senator Sabi Abdullahi (APC Niger North), has said no fewer than 73 senators-elect are backing the Senate leader to actualise his ambition.

Abdullahi has also assured that Lawan will operate an inclusive administration if elected in June.

Speaking to journalists yesterday in Abuja, Abdullahi also assured Nigerians that if Lawan emerges the next Senate president he will run an all-inclusive government because the Senate is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He said: “The 109 senators are individual senators representing the various senatorial districts in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They have inalienable rights to be heard and listened to for government to work for them no matter our differences and no matter the sentiments that we share.

“If we look at the record of Lawan as an opposition member of National Assembly for 16 years, he understands the feelings of the opposition and would not abuse the privilege if elected.”

Abdullahi said Lawan’s ambition has continued to receive a boost with more senators-elect throwing their weight behind the dream.

He predicted that Lawan, who is the anointed candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the coveted position, would get nothing less than two-thirds of votes during the inauguration of ninth Senate in early June.

“I can confirm to you that on the day of inauguration, Senator Ahmad Lawan will garner more than two-thirds of the votes. Not less than 73 from both the APC and the PDP. It is a matter of engagement. We don’t need to flaunt those who are with us. We have to respect our colleagues. We are engaging them one-on-one. We want to work together with the executive, because we have just one Federal Government in Nigeria and we must move the country forward,” he said.

According to him, the Senate leader is leaving no stone unturned in talking to his colleagues across party lines.
He said: “Let me say very clearly that the nature of parliament is such that you cannot shut anybody out. It is not possible. I want Nigerians to look at those of us who are the actors and take note of what we say. That is the most important thing.

“When we took our oath of office, we pledged not to allow personal interest to override the public interest. Let me say very clearly that our aspiration is to have the senate that works for Nigeria.

“I know that given the track records of Senator Lawan in his 16 years of being in the National Assembly, he understands the feelings of the opposition, because he was one of them before and he will not abuse that privilege.

“The notion from the PDP side that they would be excluded, should be withdrawn forthwith. What we are planning to do is to have a senate that will be for all senators.

“We are talking to our colleagues, working on our colleagues who will vote on the floor of the senate on the day of inauguration. By the grace of God, so far so good, we are very much convinced, based on the reception that is being accorded our campaigns, we have been able to reach a lot of our colleagues except those who are outside the country.”

Meanwhile, a Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), led by Centre for Policy Advocacy and Leadership Development (CPALD) has thrown its weight behind the emergence of Senator Ahmad Lawan as next president of the Senate.

It added that his adoption by the APC was in line with global parliamentary best practices.

Against this background, CPALD alongside 10 other CSOs stated categorically that they are on the same page in advancing the course of democracy in Nigeria and, therefore, view the development as good because it’s in line with international parliamentary best practices.

The coalition disclosed this in a statement Wednesday by its Director, Democracy and Governance, Mr. Joe Mesele, and expressed its support for the APC’s stance on the candidature of Lawan, saying there was nothing wrong with it.

It, therefore, called on other stakeholders to align with the initiative of the APC in order to flow along with international norms and procedures in the election of the leadership of parliaments.

It stated: “We have watched with keen interest for some weeks now debates as to the proprietary of the leadership of the APC in nominating Senator Ahmed Lawan as its candidate for the President of the Senate of the ninth assembly.

“We at the Centre for Policy Advocacy and leadership Development alongside 10 of our sister CSOs hereby unequivocally state that we are on the same page in advancing the course of democracy in Nigeria and therefore view the development as welcome because it’s in line with international parliamentary best practices.

“We have studied Parliamentary developments in several advanced democracies and came to the conclusion that the leadership of those Parliaments are usually members with the requisite cognate experience – Usually leaders of the ruling party’s caucuses. And right now in Nigeria, the leader of the APC caucuses in the Senate is Senator Ahmed Lawan. He is therefore, without sentiments, eminently qualified to hold the position.

“The people criticising the APC for taking the position of supporting Senator Ahmed Lawan are simply ignorant of parliamentary ethics and norms the world over.”

The coalition stressed that in order to ensure transparency of the process, the election of the President of the Senate of the ninth Assembly should be by open balloting system and not secret balloting, adding that Nigerians would know where their representatives stand during the election of the senate president.

It stated: “In every parliament in the world, the vote of every parliamentarian is made known to his constituents on the floor. This is a way of showing that he is accountable to the people that voted him to represent him and that he is not on his own. Ours in Nigeria cannot be different. We need to know where each senator stands.”

The Arewa Youth Forum, AYF, has supported the candidature of Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan as the next Senate President.

The forum in a statement signed by its National Director Public Affairs, Bello Abdulhamid, and made available to newsmen said, “The AYF urges all elected Senators to support the candidature of Distinguished Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan as the Senate President of the 9th Assembly.”

AYF said that it behooves on the elected leaders to focus on developmental agenda and good governance.

The forum explained, “It is a fact that there exists the universally acceptable principle of separation of powers between the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

“However, for governance to be pro-active, result oriented and beneficial to Nigerians, synergy, progressive cohesion and focus in order to bring about the urgently needed delivery of Democracy dividends is vital.”

The group alleged that with benefit of hindsight, the 8th National Assembly had a disconnect with the Executive.

It said, “A state of affairs that is traceable to the reign of Political moles and opportunists serving their godfathers and other vested interests, that truncated the emergence of quality leadership in the Legislative arm of Government.

“Consequently, that led to the slow pace of delivery of democracy dividends as intended. Allegations abound that efforts made to entrench anti corruption policies were frustrated by crop of corrupt Law makers for fear that the policies will affect them or their godfathers.

“Also, annual Budgets have taken record long time to be passed, the ripple effect of which affects the ordinary Nigerian,” it lamented.”

It explained that as a genuine group seeking progress of the country, it remains committed to contributing by ensuring the Senate gets right leadership.

“Consequently, the Arewa Youth Forum, AYF, the premier umbrella platform of Northern Youths, which has been consistent in working towards the holistic entrenchment, deepening and strengthening of democracy and it’s institutions; as well as good governance, fervently believe that Nigeria needs a very qualified man of Integrity to lead the 9th Senate.

“Among those vying for this exalted office, distinguished Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawal, Phd, CON, Danmasanin Bade is head and shoulders among the contestants. He is by far the most experienced and ranking Senator who made his debut in 1999 as a honourable member representing the Bade/Jakusko Federal Constituency of Yobe State.

“He served two terms and graduated to the Senate. To his credit, Distinguished Senator Ahmad Lawal, served as Chairman Senate Committee on Public Accounts.

“Senator Lawan was adjudged to have served with dexterity and never compromised his stance and refused to be swayed by financial enticements.

“In 2011, Distinguished Senator Ahmad Lawal presided in the investigation into the activities of Bureau of Public Enterprises ( BPE ) on the “Collapse of some privatised Federal Government companies in Nigeria”; and came up with far-reaching recommendations and refused planned inducements by the brains behind the offensive acts perpetrated against the Nigerian state.

“No wonder he does not have a case before the EFCC. Senator Ahmad Lawan served as Chairman Senate Committee on Defence in the 8th Assembly.

“Interestingly, Senator Ahmad Lawan has been very consistent in his political choices.

“To his credit, he provided the needed quality leadership amidst the turbulence which engulfed the National Assembly, he brought stability in the upper chamber of the Senate and bridged the gap between the Senators of the ruling party and the opposition, a very challenging task which he accomplished with his deft and dexterous Leadership skills. These actions earned him the position of Senate leader,” it explained.

The group observed that without an iota of doubt, Nigeria needs a Senate President that has ranking experience, integrity, leadership and political savvy.

“A leader that commands the respect not only of Senators in his party but also in the opposition; a leader that is visionary, focused and steadfast; a leader that is a patriot of the highest order who puts the interest of the common Nigerian first; a leader that has a passion of ensuring that the delivery of Democracy dividends is fast tracked aimed at sustainable peace, security and socio-economic development,” it said.

The Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan,  said it was his desire and that of other senators-elect that the 9th Senate would work for Nigeria and Nigerians, irrespective of political or other considerations.

Lawan said it was this desire that fuelled his determination to preside over the 9th Senate, which would be inaugurated in June, in order to ensure that Nigerians get more dividends of democracy from the executive and legislative arms of government.

Declaring his interest in the office of Senate President in Lagos, Lawan said he recognised party supremacy, adding that he would, however, subject his bid to the supremacy of the zoning arrangement of the All Progressives Congress.

Lawan was accompanied by other senators, including Oluremi Tinubu, Francis Alimekhena, Teslim Folarin, Aliyu Shabi and Fola Adeola.

Also present were some newly-elected senators, including Opeyemi Bamidele and Ifeanyi Ubah.

Lawan, who is currently the Senate Leader, said he believed in the separation of powers, but added that all arms of government must have a cordial relationship in order to project the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

He said, “This is the first time I have been in a party running the government. I was in the All Nigerian People’s Party till we came to power.

“I am a believer in the separation of powers but it is not an infinite elasticity. We must not allow Nigerians to give up hope.

“I will respect the party supremacy and I will respect the wishes of my party if it decides to zone the Senate President (seat) to another zone that is not my own.”