APC NWC Disowns New National Assembly Principal Officers; Crisis Looms; Julius Ihonvbere Is House’s Majority Leader

By Ayodele Oni

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to the emergence of Principal Officers of the National Assembly with a stand that the legislature is on its own.

The NWC, led by National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, on Tuesday disowned the majority Principal Officers announced by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.

According to the National Chairman, the Party has not officially communicated with the Presiding Officers.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday during plenary, announced Opeyemi Bamidele as the Senate Leader, while former Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, emerged as Deputy Majority Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume is Majority Chief Whip and Lola Ashiru named Deputy Majority Chief Whip.

In a related development, the Speaker House of Representatives announced Julius Ihonvbere representing Owan Federal constituency of Edo State as the Majority Leader.

Other Principal Officers from the Majority Caucus as announced included Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims (Kogi, APC)- Deputy Majority Leader; Usman Bello Kumo (Gombe, APC)- Chief Whip and Adewumi Onanuga (Ogun, APC) -Deputy Majority Whip.

Following is the full list of the Senate’s Principal Officers.

Majority leaders

*Opeyemi Bamidele – Senate Majority Leader (Ekiti Central, APC)

*Dave Umahi – Deputy Majority Leader (Ebonyi South, APC)

*Ali Ndume – Chief Whip (Borno South, APC)

*Lola Ashiru – Deputy Whip (Kwara South, APC)

Minority leaders

*Mwadkwon Davou – Senate Minority Leader (Plateau North, PDP)

Kamorudeen Olarere – *Deputy Minority Leader (Osun West, PDP)

*Darlington Nwokeocha – Senate Minority Whip (Abia Central, LP)

*Rufai Hanga – Deputy Minority Whip ( Kano Central, NNPP).