The tussle for the Senate presidency worsened today as a total of 68 senators-elect rejected the consensus candidate proposed by some members of the upper legislative chamber. The decision was reached at a meeting held by the senators-elect in Abuja earlier today, where they expressed their dissatisfaction with the consensus candidate and demanded a free and fair election to choose the next Senate president.
A group of 68 senators-elect, representing different parties, have rejected any imposition of presiding officers in the 10th National Assembly, which is set to be inaugurated on June 13th. At a meeting in Abuja, held from Saturday night until the early hours of Sunday, the senators-elect declared their strong opposition to any consensus arrangement that could lead to an imposed leadership. Instead, they agreed to work together to elect a pan-Nigeria leader and deputy president for the Senate, without any external interference.
The senators-elect also expressed their concern over the APC leadership’s plans to short-change some zones, adding that the equitable distribution of leadership positions across the six geopolitical zones must be respected. A senator-elect from Anambra State added that the choice of leader would not be influenced by monetary or executive imposition, and that it would be a conscious decision based on the need for equitable representation across all zones. The senators-elect from Akwa Ibom also expressed their solidarity with the group and pledged their support for an independent leadership in the Senate.
