In a surprising turn of events, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has vehemently rejected the appointment of the principal officers of the 10th National Assembly. The decision was announced by the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, during an interaction with APC Governors on Tuesday. Adamu expressed dismay that the party leaders were not consulted or given the opportunity to have any input in the selection process.
According to Adamu, the news of the appointment of principal officers came as a shock to him as he discovered it solely through online publications. He further revealed that the APC National Working Committee (NWC) members at the party’s national headquarters had not received any information or communication regarding the choice of offices. In his statement, Adamu emphasized the party’s commitment to following established norms and practices, indicating that until the party formally resolves and communicates in writing, any announcements made by the presiding officers would not be recognized by the APC.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had previously declared the appointment of Opeyemi Bamidele as Majority Leader, David Umahi as Deputy Majority Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume as Senate Majority Whip, and Lola Ashiru as Deputy Majority Whip. Similarly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, announced Julius Ihonvbere as Majority Leader, Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims as Deputy Majority Leader, Bello Usman Kumo as Chief Whip, and Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga as Deputy Chief Whip.
The rejection of the principal officers’ appointment by the APC marks an unprecedented move within the party. Adamu highlighted that while the Senate President and the Speaker have determined and announced the election of certain positions, the remaining offices are yet to be determined by the respective chambers. He recalled receiving courtesy calls from both the Senate President and the Speaker, but expressed concern that the party’s national headquarters had not been informed about the choice of offices.
The development has created a significant rift within the APC, with the rejection of the principal officers’ appointments casting doubt on the unity and cohesion of the party. The coming days will likely see intense discussions and negotiations within the party to resolve this dispute and determine the way forward. The rejection of the appointments raises questions about the party’s internal decision-making processes and the extent of communication and consultation between its leadership and the APC as a whole.