Politics

10th NASS Leadership Crisis: N-Central Govs Kick Against Zoning, To Meet Tinubu, NWC

Published

2 years ago

May 16, 2023

The 10th National Assembly leadership crisis on zoning rocking the the All Progressives Congress, APC, has deepened as the North-Central Governors’ Forum, and National Assembly members kicked against exclusion of the zone from the sharing of principal officers of the legislature.

They, however, resolved to meet with the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the party’s National Working Committee, NWC to express their grievances.

Also, aggrieved speakership aspirants vowed to take their battle to the plenary, today and some of the aspirants have commenced fresh moves to undermine one another.

In the Senate, core loyalists of President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Vanguard gathered, have initiated moves to thwart the action of a Senate adhoc committee to probe Senator Godswill Akpabio, who has been endorsed by the APC NWC, and Tinubu as the next Senate President.

The outgoing Senate President, Ahmad Lawan had last week instituted a probe against Akpabio over allegedly questionable unapproved expenditure in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, while Akpabio supervised the interventionist agency.

Those present at the meeting include Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazak of Kwara State, Governor Abdullahi Sule of

Nassarawa State, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, the Governor-elect of Benue State, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Idris Wase; Senator Mohammed Musa and Mr Yusuf Gagdi.

Speaking after its meeting held at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa Abuja, chairman and Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello, said: “The meeting reviewed the proposed zoning structure released, and promised to reach out to the President-elect, Bola Tinubu and APC National Working Committee to appeal for re-consideration of the zoning of the Presiding offices of the National Assembly as released by the NWC.

“The meeting discussed the zoning as released and raised reservation with the allocation of the positions of the Deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 10th National Assembly to a particular geopolitical zone of the country.

“That the meeting resolved and agreed to fully utilize all necessary dialogue and consultations to resolving the NASS leadership issue, they all agreed to reach out to all major stakeholders for an amicable and acceptable zoning framework that will be all inclusive.”

Aggrieved aspirants opt to battle zoning at plenary

Vanguard gathered that today’s plenary session might be stormy owing to the preparedness of most members of the House of Representatives to probe the mystery behind the amendment of the House Standing Rules in respect of the election into leadership position, especially the speaker and deputy.

Yari ignores APC’s zoning template

Meanwhile, one of the Senate presidency aspirants and Senator- elect for Zamfara West, Abdulaziz Yari, yesterday, said he is in the race in line with the constitution of the country and not the zoning arrangement by any political party.

Fielding questions from journalists at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Abuja at the ongoing Induction Programme for Members- elect organised by the National Assembly and National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, Yari noted that his aspiration was not an affront.

His words: “My aspiration for Presidency of the 10th Senate is covered by relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which to me, is superior to any other law or arrangement. I am a loyal party man, nobody has told me that any position has been zoned to anywhere as far as the 10th National Assembly is concerned.

“The position of President of the Senate is first among equals among the 109 Senators Any Senator-elect, who wants to occupy the position must seek for support of others which I am doing.”

Masari, Radda, Aliero endorse Abass for Reps’ speaker

Ahead of the inauguration, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, has been endorsed by the outgoing and incoming governors of Katsina State, Mr Aminu Masari and Dr Dikko Radda respectively.

Abass is the APC and Tinubu’s choice for the speakership

The endorsements came when Abbas led a delegation of members-elect from the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, a coalition of members from the eight political parties that won seats in the 10th Assembly, on separate visits on Masari and Radda.

In a statement the Abbas’ campaign office in Abuja, explained that both Masari and Radda emphasized party supremacy, saying the political party under whose platform a legislator got elected should be respected at all times.

Speaking during the visit, Masari, a former speaker of the House, said: “You said I’m a party man; you’re right. So, I’ll align myself with what the party says. Once the party takes a position, I’ll make sure that I stand with the decision and make it succeed.”

On his part, Dr Radda said: “I am a party man and I believe we should work with what the party said. I called all our members-elect and told them to work with whatever the party decided. This is our project. This visit is just a formality.

“We in the North-West thank the party and the president-elect for ceding the position of Speaker to us. We have done a lot for the party, so we may ask for more. I am happy to see the kind of people with you. This is a pan-Nigerian project.”

In the same vein, a former governor of Kebbi State, Adamu Aliero also backed Abbas.

Aliero said: “When I learned that Tajudeen Abbas was visiting me, I said this is the moment I was waiting for. I had eminent Nigerians waiting for me, but I decided to wait for you.

“I know very well that APC has taken a stand on zoning. I want to congratulate you for getting the APC endorsement. All we’re waiting for is the inauguration day. God willing, you’ll be there. I must commend you on your bi-partisan approach. The best advice anyone can give you is to be fair and just to all the people that give you their support.

I’m best for Speaker — Jaji

Another contender for the position of Speaker, Mr Aminu Jaji, said some aspirants have no reason to become the Speaker of the House.

Jaji, in a chat with journalists, reiterated that his executive and legislative experience and exposure in the National Assembly among other qualities, stood him out among those aspiring for the Speakership of the 10th Assembly.

His words: “I have the exposure to pilot the affairs of the House of Representatives. Being a presiding officer goes beyond just lawmaking, there are so many things involved. At times when crisis erupts between the executives the only people that can get it right and fix it is the National Assembly because they are representing 360 constituencies. I have all these in abundance and even more.

“I think I’m the best candidate for Speaker of the House of Representatives for many reasons. For some people, if not by right they don’t have any reason to say they want to become the Speaker because they lack the necessary qualification to be the presiding officer. I have the exposure to pilot the affairs of the House of Representatives. Being a presiding officer goes beyond just lawmaking, there are so many things involved. At times when crisis erupts between the executives the only people that can get it right and fix it is the National Assembly because they are representing 360 constituencies.”

Party supremacy should be upheld — Kalu

On his part, the Deputy Speakership candidate, Mr Benjamin Kalu, yesterday, said that the call to jettison party supremacy for other political interests was illogical.

Kalu spoke while playing host to Coalition of Abia Stakeholders, under the aegis of Advocacy for Good Governance Initiative, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Campaign Secretariat of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly Coalition in Abuja.

He said: “I’m a man who believes that the party’s supremacy should not be jettisoned for our political interest. The party provided the vehicle for us to get to where we are, and their decision should be binding on us. That’s the only way we are going to make our party stronger, that’s the only way we are going to make people respect our party. Because our victories came through them.

“So the tripartite arrangements established by this current government is going to be sustained by the incoming administration where the party will sit with the Executive and the Legislature to come up with policy directions that will help our nation grow.”

Speaking earlier, the Convener of the Coalition, Mr Dike Uche told the Deputy Speakership candidate that they were at the Joint Task Secretariat to pledge their support.
VANGUARD

Politics

JUST IN: Rivers Cancels N134bn Secretariat Contract, Demands N20bn Refund

Published

9 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Executive Council has cancelled a ₦134 billion contract awarded by the former sole administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ikot Ete Ibas (retd), for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt.

The contract, awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation during the period of emergency rule under Ibas, was nullified by the Council at its meeting on Thursday.

Following the cancellation, the Council directed CCECC to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee already paid for the project.

Also, the Council approved the constitution of a six-member committee chaired by Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu to assess and recommend suitable locations for the construction of Computer-Based Test centres across the state to support external examinations.

The Council also mandated the state’s flood control committee, also headed by Odu, to take urgent measures to mitigate flooding in affected areas, while cautioning residents against blocking drainage channels.

More to come…

Politics

Bode George Reacts To Mbah’s Defection To APC

Published

1 day ago

October 15, 2025

Editor

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has expressed surprise over the defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, George said he did not anticipate the move despite several reconciliatory efforts by senior PDP figures to resolve internal issues in the party.

“I never saw it at any time. In fact, when Anyanwu was brought back as secretary to complete his assignment, he asked his people not to attend meetings. We were wondering what was going on in the South-East. Now that we have settled the matter and fixed the convention date, it’s only a question of time. Whatever position the East wanted to give him would have been his. So, what’s the essence of leaving now?” George said.

The PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) member revealed that several party leaders had met with Governor Mbah to persuade him to remain in the party.

“The governor, we all waded in and convinced him. Many people went there, telling him, ‘Calm down, the convention is next month. You’ll get whatever is due to the South-East.’ But the rationale and emphasis he gave, it was like I was in a very long dream,” he added.

While wishing the governor well, George maintained that the PDP remains strong and resilient despite recent defections. He also criticised the ruling APC, describing it as a “private enterprise” owned by an individual.

“I wish him the best of luck. This is not the first time people are leaving. The PDP is an iroko tree. The APC is owned by one man; he publicly said, ‘I own the party.’ That man is President Bola Tinubu,” he said.

Recall Guardian reported that Mbah, in a public address on Tuesday, noted that while he has changed political parties, the cultural and regional identity of Enugu remains the same.

The governor explained that the decision to join the APC was based on the need for stronger representation and better alignment with the federal government to support development projects in the state.

“Let me be clear, I will represent our state and our region with the same strength of purpose as I have always done. Our Igbo DNA does not change; our destiny does not change. What changes is that our vision now finds stronger reinforcement at the federal level,” Mbah said.

He assured residents that all ongoing projects in the state, including schools, hospitals, roads, and other services, would be completed as promised.

Despite the development, George expressed optimism that the PDP remains “absolutely redeemable” and will continue to play a significant role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Politics

Acting INEC Chair Outlines Preparations or Anambra Poll

Published

1 day ago

October 15, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday held its third quarterly consultative meeting with political party leaders in Abuja, where key updates on upcoming elections and party registration were presented.

The meeting was the first chaired by INEC’s Acting Chairman, May Agbamuche-Mbu, following the exit of former Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on October 7.

In her opening remarks, Agbamuche-Mbu acknowledged the former chairman’s tenure, stating, “Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu gracefully bowed out of office, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, institutional strength and integrity.”

She outlined the commission’s schedule of elections, including the Anambra State Governorship Election on November 8, 2025, the Federal Capital Territory Area Council Elections on February 21, 2026, the Ekiti Governorship Election on June 20, 2026, and the Osun Governorship Election on August 8, 2026.

Speaking on the Anambra election, Agbamuche-Mbu said, “The commission has completed 10 of the 13 key activities,” adding that the final activities include the publication of the notice of poll on October 25, the end of the campaign period on November 6, and the election on November 8.

She stated that all non-sensitive materials had been delivered to the state and that voter education was ongoing.

The acting chairman said, “The commission is committed to keeping strictly to the remaining activities as detailed in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities. Political parties are therefore called upon to be mindful of the last day for campaigns and keep strictly to it.

“The commission has been working assiduously and making arrangements for the successful conduct of the Anambra State governorship election and has had several engagements with the security agencies at national, state and local government levels.

“All non-sensitive materials for the election have been delivered to the state, and voter education and sensitisation are ongoing.”

She also provided a report on the by-elections conducted on August 16 across 12 states, covering two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state assembly constituencies, in addition to two court-ordered rerun elections in Enugu and Kano states.

“Declarations and return were made… and Certificates of Return have been presented in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022,” she said.

Agbamuche-Mbu confirmed that the Continuous Voter Registration, which resumed nationwide in August, will continue until August 30, 2026.

She described the response to registration efforts as encouraging and said weekly updates are published on the INEC website.

On party registration, the acting chairman said the commission received 171 requests for registration of new political parties, but only 14 associations met the requirements to proceed to the next stage. These were evaluated based on constitutional and electoral law provisions.

In response, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, welcomed Agbamuche-Mbu’s appointment, stating, “The nation will benefit from her impressive service record and wealth of experience at this moment in our democratic process.”

Dantalle said IPAC had recently submitted reform proposals to the National Assembly, including the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions, transferring local government elections to INEC, reserving special seats for women, restoring public funding for political parties, and removing the President’s power to appoint INEC’s leadership.

He described the Anambra governorship election as a critical test for the commission.

“The litmus test of the new leadership is the conduct of the November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election.

“INEC should get its act together and get it right,” he said.

He added, “With new leadership, citizens’ expectations are high, very high. The commission should justify the confidence the nation reposed in it. This is the only way to rebuild trust in the electoral process.”

Dantalle concluded by expressing IPAC’s readiness to support the electoral process, saying, “We are all in it together to build a better, greater, inclusive, prosperous and just democratic society.”

Yakubu was first appointed as INEC Chairman by former President Muhammadu Buhari on October 21, 2015, and was confirmed by the Senate on October 28, 2015.

He became the first person to be reappointed to the position, earning a second term in November 2020—also under Buhari’s administration.

President Bola Tinubu, who assumed office in 2023, accepted Yakubu’s resignation and decorated him with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger in recognition of his service.

On Thursday, the National Council of State approved Tinubu’s nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new INEC Chairman. The appointment is now subject to Senate screening and confirmation.

Until then, Agbamuche-Mbu will continue to oversee the commission’s affairs as acting chairman.

INEC had earlier confirmed that 2.8 million voters are registered to participate in the Anambra election on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

The electoral body released the final list of candidates and announced the official commencement of campaign activities.

Sixteen political parties met the submission deadline of May 12 and will field candidates in the upcoming election.
(PUNCH)