The two main contenders for the position of president of the 9th Senate, Senators Ahmad Lawan and Ali Ndume, at the weekend met again with Senators-elect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja as part of their efforts to woo the lawmakers. This came after the PDP restated that its leadership is yet to take any collective decision on the issue of the Senate presidency and it trails rumors of a protest vote that has left the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the Senate witnessing increased uncertainty and discomfort, as news spread that some of its members may jump camp and abandon the party’s decision to elect the Senate Majority Leader as Senate President next month.
Lawan and Ndume had last month met with the PDP Senators-elect during the two-week orientation organized by the management of the National Assembly for 9th National Assembly’s legislators-elect in Abuja. The latest meeting with the lawmakers is coming just as the pro-Lawan Senators expressed their readiness to right the wrongs of the eighth Senate as soon as the ninth Senate is inaugurated in June.
To dismiss the protest vote rumor, which gained ground around the National Assembly last week, Lawan’s campaign team swiftly organised a dinner meeting towards the weekend, attended by about 30 Senators-elect. But another worrisome report emanating from the dinner had it that some of the Senators-elect at the dinner were there to spy for Lawan’s opponent. However, a very strong anti-Lawan campaigner, currently working for the emergence of Ndume boasted that some of the Senators and Senators-elect at that meeting went there to work for Ndume.
Sources told Huhuonline.com that Lawan (Yobe North), who is the Senate Leader and anointed candidate of the ruling APC spent the better part of last week up till weekend meeting with both returning and fresh PDP Senators. Sources privy to the meetings told Huhuonline.com that the meetings which held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja campaign secretariat of Lawan, were aimed at further engaging the legislators on the need for them to support Lawan in his quest to take the National Assembly to a greater height.
At one of such meetings, former Interior Minister and PDP Senator-elect for Benue South, Abba Moro, assured Lawan of his support, adding that he will personally take the Lawan for 9th Senate Presidency campaign to his colleagues in the opposition party.
Spokesman of Ahmad Lawan Campaign Team, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, alluded to the fact that the eighth Senate left many things undone, which the Ninth Senate under Lawan will improve upon. Abdullahi, a returning Senator and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media, speaking on Lawan’s campaign activities declared that “I know that I am part of the outgoing Senate but to be frank, there were so many things we didn’t do right. So, our plan is to ensure that Lawan’s presidency improves on that.”
According to him, “we have been working and our contact and mobilisation committee has reached out to our colleagues. We are taking our campaign to the next level and we are not taking our chances lightly. Sabi added that “we are solidly on ground and working round the clock to deliver our candidate on the day of inauguration and this is our preoccupation.
“We are selling Lawan’s strong attributes to our colleagues, which include integrity, intelligence and capability. We are also selling our agenda to our colleagues to buy into what we intend to do for the 9th Senate. He expressed confidence that “with what we have done, on that day of inauguration, by the grace of God, we shall carry the day and Lawan will emerge as president of the 9th Senate. No cause for alarm and we are marching forward”.
The reported protest vote plan originated from earlier reservations and concerns expressed by many stakeholders in the ruling party, who faulted the manner in which Lawan was announced as APC Senate President candidate. Huhuonline.com has learnt that on the day of election of Senate President, a sizeable number of APC Senators, mostly from the Northern part, would vote for Ndume.
On his part, Ndume (Borno South), former Senate Leader and Chairman of Senate Committee on Establishments, met privately with some of the 44 PDP Senators-elect in Abuja. Huhuonline.com also learnt that the consultative meeting between Ndume and the legislators held at a private residence in Maitama area of Abuja, was aimed at further getting the commitment of the Senators towards his cause. Ndume was said to have told his colleagues that he is the best candidate for the coveted position based on his past legislative experience and commitment towards a better society through inclusive legislative intervention.
Also at the weekend, the sharp disagreement among Senators-elect over the voting method to be adopted in electing officers for the 9th Senate when inaugurated in June resurfaced. Huhuonline.com gathered that Senators-elect who are loyal to Lawan, are canvassing for the adoption of the open ballot system, which was last used in 2011. The Pro- Ndume Senators, on the other hand, are also said to be making frantic efforts to ensure that the secret ballot system, which the 2015 Senate Rule Book provided for and which had already been distributed to all Senators-elect, are used for the election.
In another development, Rep. Yusuf Buba (APC-Adamawa) on Monday announced that he is withdrawing from the race for 9th Assembly Speaker-ship to support the candidature of Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos). Buba told a news conference in Abuja that the APC zoning policy was the reason for his decision.
The lawmaker said it was in the spirit of fair play that he decided to step down given that the APC has zoned the office of the Senate President to the North East. Buba, who represents Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency in Adamawa, said that though he has the muscle and support to win the race, as a party man, he has no choice than to go with the decision of the party.
The APC has earlier zoned the office of the Speaker to the South West and endorsed Gbajabiamila for the position. He said that all the six geo political zones have competent persons for any office in the country, describing zoning as arrangement to ensure every part of the country is represented.
Buba had in March declared his intention to run for the office of the Speaker in the 9th Assembly.
He enjoined all his supporters to understand why he is stepping down and join hands to build a formidable leadership in the house.
