10th Assembly: Group knocks APC over appointment of principal officers

The National Democratic Front (NDF) has condemned the All Progressives Congress National Working Committee’s choice of principal officers for the 10th National Assembly.

In a statement signed by Dr. Sani Gwandu, the NDF said the party’s zoning template is the most grievous injustice to the people of the North Central who are being taken for granted in the political equation of the country.

Recall that the APC yesterday confirmed the endorsement of former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godwill Akpabio, as Senate president and Tajudeen Abbas as Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 10th National Assembly.

The NWC also confirmed the endorsement of Senator Barau Jubrin (North West) as deputy Senate president and Ben Kalu (South East) as deputy Speaker of the House.

However, this announcement was met with stern resistance and opposition by both new and returning legislators.

And Dr. Gwandu believes the lawmakers have every right to be aggrieved as the zoning arrangement doesn’t reflect their interests and that of Nigerians.

He said the election of presiding officers of the National Assembly is the exclusive business of the legislators-elect and not the party.

While noting that consensus requires discussion by critical stakeholders and wide consultations, Gwandu added that the APC intends to hijack the Parliament by imposing its leaders.

He further revealed that the most critical elements of competence, capacity, and acceptability were ignored by the ruling party which has again marginalized some regions.

The NDF, therefore, condemned the endorsement in totality and urged other patriotic Nigerians including the legislators to do likewise.

It further said that the announcement was more or less a coronation exercise that didn’t take into consideration the feelings of members-elect of either the Senate or the Reps.