• The APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) endorsed Hon. Abass Tajudeen and Ben Kalu for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively, while zoning the Senate President and Deputy Senate President positions to South-South and North West, respectively.

• However, the incumbent Deputy Speaker and current Majority Leader rejected the consensus arrangement, vowing to proceed with their separate bids for the speakership position.

• The crisis threatens to divide the party and create a power struggle that could affect the formation of the 10th National Assembly.

Fresh Crisis Rocks APC as Aspirants Reject Consensus Candidates for National Assembly Leadership

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is once again embroiled in a fresh crisis as some aspirants for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly rejected the party’s consensus candidates for the positions of Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker, and Deputy Speaker. This move has threatened to divide the party and create a power struggle that could affect the formation of the 10th National Assembly.

The APC’s Endorsement

The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) had earlier announced its endorsement of Hon. Abass Tajudeen (Kaduna) for Speaker and Ben Kalu (Abia) for Deputy Speaker (South East) positions. Additionally, the APC had zoned the Senate President position to South-South (Senator Godswill Akpabio – Akwa Ibom) and the Deputy Senate President position to the North West (Senator Barau Jubrin – Kano). President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had also endorsed the above candidates before the party’s official announcement.

Rejecting the Consensus Arrangement

However, the incumbent Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase, and the current Majority Leader, Alhasan Ado Doguwa, rejected the consensus arrangement announced by the party. They both vowed to proceed with their separate bids for the speakership position, stating that they would not allow the 10th National Assembly to be “hijacked”.

Implications of the Crisis

The crisis threatens to create a power struggle within the party, with different factions vying for control of the National Assembly. This could result in a lack of unity and cohesion within the party, which could impact its ability to govern effectively. Additionally, the crisis could lead to delays in the formation of the 10th National Assembly, further exacerbating the political uncertainty in the country.