As the division within the ranks of the All Progressives Congress (APC) eats deeper, a peace move initiated by the party’s National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC) to find a lasting solution between the warring camps of senators – Senate President, Bukola Saraki’s “Senators of Like Minds and Ahmed Lawan’s “Senate Unity Forum” – in the party failed to yield and positive result.
According to reports, the meeting which was held on Monday, June 22, 2015 at Oyegun’s private residence in Asokoro, Abuja fell through as both camps failed to agree on those who would occupy the remaining four principal offices in the Senate.
Saraki’s “Senators of Like Minds” have insisted that the positions should be determine by the various regional caucuse, with the Senate President saying that he could not afford to have his rival occupy such a sensitive position.
On their part, Lawan’s “Senate Unity Forum” maintained that the party leadership should determine those to occupy the positions, adding that they would be disenfranchised if the Saraki has his way.
According to the reports, the deadlocked meeting was adjourned with Saraki directing the various zonal caucuses to meet at 11pm on Monday, June 22, 2015 to pick their candidates for the positions.
Some names have been thrown up for positions including Senator Ali Ndume ( Borno South ), former governor of Zamfara State, Ahmed Sani–Yerima and according to an anonymous senator from Saraki’s camp, a senator from the South West had intensified lobby to occupy either the position of the Deputy Senate Leader or the Deputy Chief Whip.
A source said: “The senate president has asked the various caucuses to agree on their candidates before 12 midnight and submit the list which he had said would be announced during plenary tomorrow (Tuesday).”
Another leading member of the party who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the party leaders had pleaded with Saraki to accommodate Lawan and his supporters but the plea fell on deaf ears.The selection of principal officers will hold on Tuesday, June 23, 2015.
