Senator Ahmed Lawan and Senator George Akume have now agreed to work together against Senator Saraki for the Presidency of the incoming 8th National Assembly. This is even as Senator Bukola Saraki is enjoying the support of 35 Senators for the coveted post.
Under the latest deal struck during the retreat organised for senators-elect by All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Lawan is being supported for Senate President with Akume stepping down for him and run for the position of Deputy Senate President.
The new consensus arrangement was brokered by some APC senators under the aegis of ‘Senate Unity Forum’ comprising senators-elect from various zones of the country.
They declared: “we, the Senate Unity Forum comprising senators- elect from various states and various zones of Nigeria, have met, held extensive discussions and resolved to support Senator Ahmed Lawan as Senate President and Senator George Akume as the Deputy Senate President of the 8th Senate.”
According to the newly elected Senator from Benue state, Senator Barnabas Gemade who read out the statement on behalf of the pro-Lawan group at the Ibeto Hotel lobby in Abuja, decision was made in the collective best interest of the party and the country.
However, not long after declaring their position, the pro-Saraki group of senators led by Senator Dino Malaye addressed Journalists at the hotel, dismissing the Lawan’s group as a minority position.
Senator Melaye who stormed the hotel, venue of the retreat being held for APC Senators with 24 senators, told Journalists that 35 out of the 59 senators elected on the APC platform have decided to endorse the candidacy of Senator Bukola Saraki for the office of the senate presidency.
He read out a statement titled: “Resolution of the adoption of Saraki as sole candidate for the office of the senate president of the 8th Assembly by 35 senators.” [myad]
