The APC party members are currently jostling for the leadership positions of the Senate and speaker of the House of Representatives, with scheming peaking since the issuance of certificates of return to the winners of the February 25 parliamentary elections.
Contenders for the Senate presidency include Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano), Godswill Akpabio (APC, Akwa Ibom), Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia), Sani Musa (APC, Niger), and Dave Umahi (APC, Ebonyi), while contenders for the speaker position include Ahmed Idris Wase (Plateau), Muktar Aliyu Betara (Borno), Alhassan Ado Doguwa (Kano), and Aminu Sani Jaji (Zamfara).
During the meeting, President-elect Tinubu's message was conveyed through the vice president-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, who made it clear that neither the party nor the president-elect has endorsed anyone for any National Assembly positions.
The APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, advised the lawmakers-elect to exercise caution while jostling for leadership positions, adding that the party leadership would consult with the president-elect to arrive at a fair and equitable formula for sharing the offices.
The meeting is considered necessary to avoid a repeat of the 2015 scenario that produced Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara as president of the Senate and speaker respectively against the wishes of the party leadership. A source at the meeting said that a party meeting would be convened after the governorship elections to decide on the zoning of the presiding officers.
The APC National Chairman urged the lawmakers-elect to focus more on ensuring that they take the election battle to the end instead of engaging in leadership issues.
Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) said that members of the National Assembly should produce their leadership based on who they think is the best and also consider justice, fairness, and equity.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, said discussions on the leadership of the National Assembly would come up after the Saturday polls.