A fresh crisis could be brewing in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as the party through its National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, has denied knowing about the principal officers’ list announced on the floor of the Senate and House of Representatives by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker, Tajudeen Abass, respectively, saying the list of principal officers for the 10th National Assembly announced earlier today did not emanate from the party’s secretariat.
Adamu stated this on Tuesday at a meeting with the Progressives Governors’ Forum led by the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma.
He said, “I had a courtesy call on Saturday from the President of the Senate and his Deputy. The following Sunday, I received a visit from the Speaker and his Deputy Speaker, who came to me for Sallah’s homage.
“But I am just hearing as a rumor 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 (National Working Committee), has 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; whatever announcement is made either by the President of the Senate, Deputy Senate President, Speaker, or Deputy Speaker, it is not from this secretariat.”
Meanwhile, on his part, Uzodimma said the party will address the “communication gap” between the four most senior NASS leaders and the APC.
The Imo governor said that since Akpabio and Abbas are members of the APC, the party will activate its internal mechanisms to resolve the matter.
As reported by MUK TV, Akpabio had announced Senator Opeyemi Bamidele from Ekiti State as Senate Leader, Senator Dave Umahi from Ebonyi State as Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume from Borno State as Chief Whip, and Senator Lola Ashiru from Kwara State as Deputy Chief Whip.
In the same context, Abbas also announced Julius Ihonvbere (APC-Edo) as House Majority Leader, Halims Abdullahi (APC-Kogi) as Deputy Majority Leader, Bello Kumo (APC-Gombe) as Chief Whip, and Adewunmi Onanuga (APC-Ogun) as Deputy Chief Whip.
