APC rejects emergence of Bamidele, Umahi, Ndume, other principal officers  

 

 

By Ibrahim Ishaku

 

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, has described as rumour, the emergence of Michael Opeyemi Bamidele as Senate Majority Leader, Dave Umahi as Deputy and other such principal officers announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abass.

 

Adamu, while hosting members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), distanced the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party from the emergence of the principal officers.

 

Recall that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen announced the emergence of new Principal Officers on Tuesday.

 

At the Senate, Bamidele (Ekiti Central) and Umahi (Ebonyi South) were elected Majority Leader and Deputy Majority Leader, while Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South), Chief Whip and Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), Deputy Chief Whip.

 

In the House of Representatives, Abbas announced Julius Ihonvbere, a lawmaker representing Owan east/Owan west of Edo as the majority leader; and Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims, a legislator representing Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro of Kogi, as the deputy majority leader.

 

Abbas also announced Bello Usman Kumo, representing the Akko federal constituency of Gombe as the chief whip; and Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo north federal constituency in Ogun, as the deputy chief whip.

 

Addressing the Governors, Adamu said the party had no input in the names of lawmakers making rounds as principal officers of the National Assembly.

 

 

According to the chairman: “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.”