Politics
NASS leadership: ‘We didn’t do enough consultation,’ Adamu admits as opposition over zoning mounts
National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has admitted that the leadership of the party did not make sufficient consultations before picking those who will lead the 10th national assembly.
This as more stakeholders holders of the party continue to revolt against its zoning of national assembly leadership positions.
The party had chosen Godswill Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta affairs, and Jibrin Barau, senator representing Kano north, as president of the senate and deputy.
Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu were chosen as speaker and deputy, a decision which elicited protest from party members who claim they were not consulted.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday after receiving a protest letter from Uzor Orji Kalu, senate whip; Abdulaziz Yari, senator-elect; and Sani Mohammed, senator representing Niger east, Adamu said the party found itself in a situation after the elections that prevented it from consulting widely.
The chairman said the party is reviewing the nominations to see if the decision could be reversed.
“There was no sufficient or adequate consultations with those who are contesting and it is a simple principle of democracy that you get views and opinions – but the circumstances that we found ourselves in after the elections frustrated our desire,” he said.
“We must as democrats open up. We will go back to the drawing board. We owe our party that duty to take a look whether what was done can be changed; what was done needs some changes or reviews.
“So, hold the fire until the last word is heard from us. We are the custodians of the party as NWC but we are not acting alone. The voice of the president-elect is an essential voice. We must accommodate him, the best we can. I will not compromise on that.”
