The minority leadership of the 10th Senate of the National Assembly was announced on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
After the Senate’s plenary session resumed, Akpabio named the minority’s top officers.
Akpabio had named Ekiti Central lawmaker Opeyemi Bamidele as the 10th Senate Majority Leader, Senator Dave Umahi ( Ebonyi South) as Deputy Majority Leader; Ali Ndume (Borno South) as Chief Whip, and Lola Ashiru (Kwara South) as the Deputy Whip.
He also named Plateau North lawmaker Mwadkwon Davou as Senate Minority Leader, while Osun West lawmaker Kamorudeen Olarere (PDP Osun West) emerged as the Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Darlington Nwokeocha (LP Abia Central) was named Senate Minority Whip while Rufai Hanga (NNPP Kano Central) was the Senate Deputy Minority Whip.
Akpabio, Abbas Named Majority Principal Officers Rejected By APC NWC
The majority principal officers declared by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the House Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, were rejected on Tuesday by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which is chaired by Abdullahi Adamu.
The party has not officially contacted the presiding officers, according to the national chairman of the party.
At a meeting with party governors on Tuesday, Adamu made the declaration.
Recall that 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 grabbed Senate Majority Whip and Lola Ashiru named Deputy Majority Whip.
In a related development, the Speaker announced Hon. Julius Ihonvbere representing Owan federal constituency of Edo State as the majority leader.
Other principal officers from the Majority Caucus as announced included Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims (Kogi, APC)- Deputy majority leader; Hon. Usman Bello Kumo (Gombe, APC)- Chief Whip and Hon. Adewumi Onanuga (Ogun, APC) -Deputy Majority Whip.
Adamu said, “The election of the principal officers of the Senate by the Senate President and Deputy Senate President. The election of the speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives have been determined and announced and their responsibilities.
“The remaining offices will be determined by the two chambers is yet to be done. I had a courtesy call on Saturday from the President of the Senate and his Deputy. The following which was Sunday, I received the visit by the Speaker and his Deputy Speaker coming to me for Sallah’s homage.
“But, I am just hearing as a rumour now from the online media that there have been some announcements in the Senate and House of Representatives.
“The national headquarters of the party of the NWC has not given any such information or communicated about the choice of offices.
“And until we formally resolve and communicate with them in writing which is the norm and practice, it is not our intention to break away from traditions. So whatever announcement is done either the President of the Senate, Deputy Senate President, Speaker or Deputy Speaker, is not from this secretariat.”
Ada Peter
