PDP writes Akpabio over nominations for senate minority leadership positions

Akinwande Soji-Ojo

Ahead of Tuesday’s resumption of the Senate, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has resolved to transmit a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to stay action on filling the position of the Senate minority leadership of the upper legislative chamber.

This was part of the decision taken by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party during a meeting held at its national secretariat in Abuja, on Monday.

The meeting, which was attended by seven NWC members and 25 out of 36 Senators elected on the platform of the PDP adopted the immediate past governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal for the position of Senate Minority Leader.

Tambuwal was elected to represent Sokoto South Senatorial District following the completion of his second term as governor.

The NWC, however, resolved to delay the announcement of Tambuwal’s nomination until the majority of its senators and NWC members return to Abuja from the Sallah break.

In a statement issued after the NWC meeting by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP premised its decision to delay the announcement of the Senate minority leadership position on the need for adequate consultation,just as it slammed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly meddling in the selection process.

“At the meeting, the importance of a virile and stable opposition in the Senate and indeed the National Assembly was emphasised, and the caucus assured that it will play that important role in the defence of democracy in the interest and wellbeing of Nigerians.

“The meeting condemned in its entirety the alleged subterranean moves by the APC to meddle in the affairs of the minority with regards to the emergence of the minority leadership which is an exclusive reserve of the minority caucus as expressly stipulated by constitutional provisions and Standing Rules of the Senate.

“The PDP and the Senators will continue with consultations on the emergence of the minority leader in the Senate and are resolved to collectively present a unified leadership after due and conclusive considerations. Accordingly, the PDP will continue to provide the necessary leadership in this regard.

“Consequently, the meeting resolved that the PDP NWC communicates to the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, on the ongoing consultation in the minority caucus to the effect that the nominations into the minority leadership positions in the Senate have not been concluded and that upon conclusion, the nominated list will be formally conveyed to him appropriately for necessary action,” the statement read in part.

However, opposition to Tambuwal’s aspiration has heightened in recent weeks with loyalists to ex-Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, kicking against the PDP’s choice of the former House of RepresentativesSpeaker.

According to reports, Wike and other members of his G-5 group are supporting the lawmaker representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Agom Jarigbe, for the position of senate minority leader.

Also, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has vowed not to support the aspiration of the former Sokoto State governor.