The primaries conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that produced Senator Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila as official candidates for the positions of Senate President and House of Representatives Speaker may eventually work against the party.
This is as the two main challengers, Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara, have insisted that they will not respect the outcome of the mock election.
Consequently, the duo have resolved to go ahead with their ambition with or without the party’s support.
PDP holds the aces
It is now crystal clear that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will today determine the leadership of the two chambers.
The party in a statement issued in the wee hours of Tuesday disclosed that it has endorsed Saraki, former Kwara State Governor for the position of the Senate President.
It also adopted Dogara for Speakership of the House of Representatives.
The statement signed by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, appeled to all Senators and Reps members on its platform to respect the directive.
Confirming the development, Bamikole Omishore, Saraki’s media aide told DAILY POST Tuesday morning that PDP are solidly behind his principal.
“Yes, it is true. They called Senator Saraki yesterday (Monday) night to inform him of their full support for his candidature,” he said.
“They have seen his capacity and have decided to vote for him. The task of electing heads of legislature lies within the lawmakers and this will be proved today,
“After the call, Senator Saraki visited some PDP topshots in Abuja to thank them for the endorsement.
“We are certain of victory,” Omishore added.
Factors that will affect NASS leadership election
Speaking to DAILY POST, a well-connected media practitioner who does not want his name in print said he would be surprised if Lawan and Gbajabiamila remerge victorious today.
According to him, religion, personality of candidates and sharing of chairmanship positions are some factors that will affect Tuesday’s battle of enthronement.
“If we were to rate who contributed more to APC, Saraki did more than Lawan,” he said.
“In terms of personality and clout, Lawan is below Saraki. The only difference is the number of legislative years between them.” he said.
“We were all witness to how PDP sent anti-corruption agencies after him when he defected. Even APC cannot deny that he contributed a lot of money so the man is angry that they used and wanted to dump him just like that.
“For the House of Reps, Dogara commands more followers and that is why Gbajabiamila has been running from one Governor to the other to seek their support.”
“Don’t be fooled when you see PDP and APC politicians attacking themselves. Dogara has been talking to PDP Senators even before the so-called mock election of APC.”
Game of figures
Analysing how voting will go, the source stated that PDP prefers Saraki who they believe cannot be bullied around by APC.
“Saraki is a fighter, he can face anybody. Don’t forget this is a man who sponsored a candidate against his late father’s choice and still triumphed.
“Mark my words, PDP will give him bloc votes.
“Let me tell you what will happen: PDP has 49 Senators, APC has 59, this is 108 excluding Senator Zannah who died.
“Of the 59 APC Senators, Saraki has about 34 backing him. When you add this to PDP’s 49, the result is clear.
“Let’s assume few APC and PDP Senators decide to go with Lawan, he will still not win because Saraki needs only one vote higher to win.”
On how religion will affect the contest, DAILY POST learnt that many high-ranking Nigerians are against having a situation where the two NASS leaders will be of same religion.
The two APC-endorsed candidates, Lawan and Gbajabiamila are Muslims.
However, Saraki is a Muslim, while Dogara is a minority Christian from Bauchi.
It would be recalled that the APC had planned to produce a Muslim/Muslim ticket for the presidential elections.
The party later bowed to criticisms from within and outside the party which led to the emergence of Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo as running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Tuesday’s NASS election may just be a re-enactment of PDP episode which saw its members and colleagues in other parties installing Aminu Tambuawal/Emeka Ihedioha as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively, despite the party’s endorsement of Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola.
Tambuwal, who represented Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State scored 252 votes to beat Akande-Adeola (Ogbomosho North, Oyo State) who scored 90 votes.
His emergence then was a major event that altered the contentious issue of zoning by the PDP.
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