…By Larry John for TDPel Media. Abdul Ahmed Ningi, the former Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate and senator-elect for Bauchi Central, has expressed disappointment in the All Progressive Congress (APC) regarding its zoning arrangement.
Despite not being a member of the ruling APC, Ningi expected the party to learn from his own party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in avoiding the imposition of leaders on the National Assembly.
APC’s Zoning Decisions and Resistance from Contenders
The APC leadership has assigned Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senator Jibrin Barau as the Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively.
Additionally, Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu were selected as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.
However, contenders such as Senators Abdulaziz Yari, Osita Izunaso, and Orji Kalu, who are vying for the position of Senate President, have refused to step down in favor of the party’s consensus candidate.
Advocating for Independence of the Legislature
Ningi, the Deputy Director General of Yari’s campaign team, expressed his disappointment with the APC’s lack of consideration for the PDP’s mistakes regarding the imposition of leaders in the National Assembly.
He emphasized the importance of allowing the independence of the legislature to prevail in the upcoming 10th National Assembly.
Support for Orji Uzor Kalu and Abdulaziz Yari
Ningi highlighted that his camp has garnered support from 67 colleagues who are endorsing the aspirations of Orji Uzor Kalu and Abdulaziz Yari to become presiding officers of the Senate.
He mentioned that key contenders for the senate presidency, including Sani Musa, Osita Izunaso, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Yari, are in discussions and working together.
Strategy and Money Politics
Ningi stated that their strategy is being discussed among the contenders, but it is not something they are willing to disclose.
He also addressed the issue of money politics, noting that while money may play a role, it is not the most critical factor.
He criticized those who criticized money politics, reminding them of how they themselves won their party primaries by using money.
He emphasized that their campaign is not solely focused on money, particularly for their candidate.
Advocating for Lesson Learning in APC
Although not a member of the APC, Ningi expected the party to learn from the mistakes made by the PDP in terms of imposing leaders on the National Assembly.
He urged the APC to prioritize the independence of the legislature.