Politics
Uncertainty Looms Over Selection Of Presiding Officers In 10th NASS Leadership
As the June 13 inauguration of the 10th National Assembly approaches, the prospects of individuals vying for presiding officer positions remain uncertain as President Bola Tinubu has not yet made an official statement regarding their candidacy, leaving their fate in limbo.
According to reliable sources, Vanguard reported that President Bola Tinubu held a meeting with lawmakers-elect at Aso Rock Villa on Wednesday night.
However, it has been reported that several contenders for presiding officer positions, including former governors Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara and Orji Kalu of Abia states, were notably absent from the meeting.
A source with knowledge of the meeting revealed that certain northern leaders are insisting on the North producing both the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
In response to the situation, an anonymous lawmaker-elect stated “At the time you called, I was about entering the Villa. For now, nothing has changed. The president didn’t mention any name while meeting with us, all he said was that we should work and be united. That was all he said.”.
Regarding whether President Bola Tinubu would support Senator Godswill Akpabio and Mr. Tajudeen Abass for the positions of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, the source added, “I have just concluded the meeting, and the president did not indicate any preferred candidates.”.
On the North’s position on the 10th NASS leadership, he said: “This is a northern agenda, they don’t want Tinubu to control the Senate but as for the G-6, they are still intact, although Betara has withdrawn from the race his supporters have shifted base to Idris Wase.
“The president’s claim of religious balancing is what is most vexatious. How can he say so because his chief of staff is not just from Lagos, the same state? Is Gbajabiamila, not a Muslim? We shall meet on the floor on Tuesday.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) had previously announced its selection of Godswill Akpabio from the South-South zone as the Senate President, with Senator Jubrin Barau from the North West zone as the Deputy Senate President.
Furthermore, Tajudeen Abass from the North West and Benjamin Kalu from the South East were endorsed as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively.
However, the party’s decision has faced criticism and condemnation from other contenders for the key positions within the National Assembly.
Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, better known as Davido, has expressed his interest in the ongoing Edo State governorship election.
BIZTELLERS reports that residents turned out in large numbers on Saturday to vote in the off-cycle gubernatorial election in Edo State.
Davido has been vocal on X, calling out the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged irregularities in the election process.
His concern raised questions as to why he is so interested in the election, considering that he is not from Edo State.
Addressing the questions via his X handle, Davido explained that his late mother, Imade Veronica Adeleke was from Edo State.
He further explained that aside from his late mom being an Edo State indigene, he should be concerned as a Nigerian.
He recalled calling out INEC during the Osun State gubernatorial election when his uncle, the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, was contesting.
The singer wrote, “My mom is from Edo for those wondering why I’m interested in the election … but we as Nigerians should be concerned sha .. @inecnigeria shame on you I know how many times I had to come in here and rant before they got it right in Osun ! It’s really bad. God help us.”
Davido previously endorsed the PDP candidate, Asuen Ighodalo, for the Edo gubernatorial election through his Instagram account.
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki participated in the ongoing governorship election by casting his vote at polling unit 19, Ward 4, located at Emokpae Primary School in Benin City.
Arriving at the polling station, he was accredited and completed the voting process in under ten minutes.
Following his vote, Obaseki expressed his satisfaction with the election process and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a smooth collation of votes.
Read Also: #EdoDecides2024: Ighodalo, Wife Cast Votes
He also praised the resilience of voters who turned out to exercise their franchise despite the heavy rain.
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, has voted at his voting centre, Okaigben Ward 1, Unit 3, in Idinrio Primary School, Okaigben, Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Ighodalo arrived at the polling booth at about 10:33am, a few minutes after INEC’s officials arrived.
ALSO READ: #EdoDecides: Suspected Vote Buyers Nabbed In Egor
He, alongside his wife, Ifeyinwa, cast their ballot at Okaigben Ward 1, unit 3, Idinrio Primary School, Okaigben, Ewohimi.
The couple were accredited at about 12.03pm for voting at Okaigben Ward 1, unit 3, Idinrio Primary School, Okaigben, Ewohimi.
The PDP candidate expressed dissatisfaction over the late arrival of voting materials.
He is expected to battle against the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Ekpobholo, for the votes in Edo Central Senatorial District, where both candidates hail from.
The Edo Central Senatorial District comprises of Esan South-East, Igueben and Esan North East, Esan West and Esan Central LGAs.
Speaking after casting his ballot, the governorship candidate expressed displeasure over the slow pace of the process.
“The process has been slow, but thankfully, I’ve finally voted,” he said.
He, however, expresses optimism for victory.
Despite the early morning rain, voters have thronged the various polling units and cast their votes.
Voting has ended at some polling units, and results have been collated.
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