President Elect, Tinubu, Douses Tension Over Possible Hijack Of 10th NASS Leadership By Opposition

By Ayodele Oni

The president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has allayed fears being expressed in certain quarters, especially observation of Ondo state Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on the zoning of leadership of the tenth national assembly.

There has been apprehension about possible hijack of the house by opposition members following disagreement among members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC).

The APC had zoned Senate Presidency to  former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Apakbio from South South geo-political zone, his Deputy Barau Jubrin from Northwest, Speaker of House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen from Northwest, and his deputy, Ben Kalu from Southeast geo-political zone.

Akeredolu had said in a statement that the zoning of the leadership position by the APC in the yet to be constituted 10th National Assembly defied logic and would enhance injustice in the polity of the country.

Tinubu however stated that “you know our Governor has a knack for fearless, justice but I know that the governor will be further briefed, they will all be on the same line with the party and the president-elect and I am sure some of the reasons for the decision taken will be explained to him.”

The president elect, who spoke through the national vice chairman of APC south west, Isaacs Kekemeke, at a forum in Akure, Ondo state assured that he and the APC leadership would not allow the opposition party (PDP) to hijack the 10th National Assembly leadership like the opposition party did in 2015, when Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara emerged the Senate President and the Speaker of House of Representatives.

He however, said the APC still has enough time to bring the warring factions together before the inauguration of the National Assembly.

“Opposition will not take over the national assembly, both the President-elect and party are working tirelessly to ensure that whatever you perceive as acrimony will be sorted out and this is democracy.

“But I can assure you that the national working committee of our great party is having an interface with those aspirants of the House of Representatives and the Senate and in the short while everything will be sorted out.

“I don’t think there is cause for alarm, this is normal and this is what our party is known for, we believe in democratic engagement and we all know that the president-elect is an engager.”