The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress has disowned the list of principal office holders in the Senate.
The National Chairman of the Party, Mr Abdulahi Adamu, said that the NWC was not informed of the choice of principal holders before the announcement.
He said that since there was no communication between the party and the Senate leadership, the announcement made about the principal office holders did not emanate from the party.
Senator Abdullahi Adamu who spoke during a meeting with the Progressives Governors’ Forum led by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State in Abuja, said the National Assembly flouted the tradition by making the announcement without informing the party.
“The remaining offices will be determined by the two chambers is yet to be done. I had a courtesy call on Saturday from the President of the Senate and his Deputy. The following day which was Sunday, I received the visit by the Speaker and his Deputy Speaker coming to me for Sallah homage.
“But, I am just hearing as a rumour now from the online media that there have been some announcements in the Senate and House of Representatives. The national headquarters of the party, the NWC was not given any such information or communicated about the choice of offices.
“And until we formally resolve and communicate with them in writing which is the norm and practice, it is not our intention to break away from traditions. So whatever announcement is done either by the President of the Senate, Deputy Senate President, Speaker or Deputy Speaker, is not from this secretariat.”
Speaking further he said, “We are going to formally inform you that we are going to have a caucus, and for quite a time, there has been no caucus in place. The caucus has been reconstituted according to the constitution of APC. And we will be discussing that with you as governors, you know your states more than we know it. Even if we come from the same state, the leadership is in you as governors.
“We will hear your advice and then see how we can ensure that we comply with the provisions of the constitution of the party.
“We hope that we will be receiving some reports from the Progressive Governors Forum, NGF, Chairman, or his representative, to get to know about your feelings and what is going on.
“And what is your thinking on what to do to improve the chances of the party and therefore reduce the problems and bickering that we have been hearing from time to time? Then we will have time by the grace of God permitting, we will have interactions.
“Along with the caucus, the National Advisory Council will give you the list that has been prepared and make sure that every state is represented. And we will give you the knowledge of it and advice. You will also be given the benefits of all the detailed accounts from April 2022 to April 2023. The PCC account has been audited and it has been submitted to the INEC by the party.” He said
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had announced the principal officers of the 10th Senate, who according to him emerged as consensus candidates.
He listed them to include Senator Opeyemi Bamidele from Ekiti State (Senate Leader), Senator Dave Umahi from Ebonyi State (Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume from Borno State a(Chief Whip), and Senator Lola Ashiru from Kwara State as Deputy Chief Whip.
