Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abass have received the endorsement of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Bola Tinubu for the positions of Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Except for any last minute change of plan the duo are expected to replace Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila, sources told the Guardian.
The choice of Akpabio and Abass has sealed the fate of other candidates vying for the positions, experts say, particular Orji Uzor Kalu and Ado Doguwa, from Kano state who once said his lifetime ambition is to become Speaker, and is currently facing charges for alleged murder during the last election.
According to the newspaper, the decision to this effect was reached yesterday during the parley of the President-elect, and selected members of the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led National Working Committee, NWC, at the Defence House, Abuja, the nation’s capital.
In attendance at the parley which lasted for over an hour were Lawan, his deputy, Ovie Omo-Agege and Gbajabiamila.
Among those at the parley were the APC Secretary, Sen. Iyiola Omisore; the Deputy National Chairman, North, Sen. Abubakar Kyari and his counterpart from the South, Chief Emma Eneukwu.
A member of the NWC who pleaded anonymity confirmed the development to The Guardian, saying, “The Tinubu had made up his mind on the issue long ago except if he changes his mind before the inauguration of the National Assembly next month.
“It is true he has endorsed them for the leadership of the National Assembly after meeting with representatives of the NWC and other stakeholders of the party.”
When contacted, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, who promised to get back to The Guardian on the issue neither confirmed or deny the endorsement of Abass representing Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.
Akpabio who was a two-term governor of oil-rich Akwa Ibom State was the first to step down for the President-elect during the presidential primaries held in Abuja last year.
It is understood that the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs is to be deputised by Kano-born Senator Barau Jibrin, who chairs the Senate Committee on Appropriation.
Abass who enjoys the full support of Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai is credited to have sponsored 75 bills within the life of the National Assembly. It’s unclear who is billed to deputise Abass who chairs the House Committee on Land Transport Committee.
The 10th National Assembly, NASS, is expected to be inaugurated on June 6.
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