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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, has accused the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of acting the script of some individuals, stressing that the National Assembly should not be treated like a department of government.
Gagdi spoke on Channels Television programme ‘Sunrise Daily,‘ on Tuesday.
He was reacting to the zoning of leadership positions in the 10th National Assembly by the APC NWC, on Monday.
Gagdi, who is an aspirant for the speakership position in the 10th House of Representatives, said he was not worried about APC’s zoning because he had been a victim of such in the past, yet he won.
“I don’t think it is something that I need to be bothered or worried about.
“Moreso I was a victim of that. I contested for deputy speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly. Government had its candidate but members elected me and such things have been happening in the National Assembly.
“I don’t think anybody needs to be worried that party has zoned positions. I don’t even see that as zoning. I see that as party appointing people to preside over affairs of the National Assembly and National Assembly for any reason should not be treated like a department of government,” he said.
Gagdi alleged that APC’s zoning was meant to intimidate members.
“It’s meant to intimidate the entire members and you will see it in the unfolding event. From the news going round before this decision you know definitely the NWC of APC are acting the script of the few individuals.
“I have heard news on social media prior to this moment that some people particularly around the president-elect prefer some certain personalities. So, I say it to all Nigerians without any apology to anybody if NWC signed that position of zoning and issued it out they are acting the script of few individuals,” he added.
The APC’s NWC had on Monday in Abuja issued a document which indicated that the Senate President would come from the South South and specifically, Senator Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom).
Others are Deputy Senate President – North West, Senator Barau Jubrin (Kano); Speaker, House of Representatives, North West, Hon. Abass Tajudeen (Kaduna) and Deputy Speaker, South East, Hon. Ben Kalu (Abia).