The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC), led by Abdullahi Adamu, disowned the majority principal officers announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on Tuesday.
The party has not officially communicated with the presiding officers, according to the party’s National Chairman.
Adamu made the announcement during a meeting with party governors on Tuesday.
Daily News 24 had reported that Akpabio announced Opeyemi Bamidele as Senate Leader on Tuesday during plenary, while former Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi was named Deputy Majority Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume was named Senate Majority Whip, and Lola Ashiru was named Deputy Majority Whip.
In a related development, the Speaker named Hon. Julius Ihonvbere of Edo State’s Owan federal constituency as majority leader.
Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims (Kogi, APC) was named Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo (Gombe, APC) was named Chief Whip, and Hon. Adewumi Onanuga (Ogun, APC) was named 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.”
