The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, has dissociated the party from the list of principal officers for the 10th National Assembly announced on Tuesday by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.
According to Adamu, the list did not emanate from the party.
The APC national chairman disclosed this on Tuesday at a meeting with the Progressives Governors’ Forum led by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.
The presiding officers of the National Assembly earlier on Tuesday announced the new leaders at plenary.
For the majority caucus of the Senate, Akpabio had announced Senator Opeyemi Bamidele from Ekiti State as Senate Leader, Senator Dave Umahi from Ebonyi State as Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume from Borno State as Chief Whip, and Senator Lola Ashiru from Kwara State as Deputy Chief Whip.
For the minority caucus, Akpabio had announced the principal officers as Senator Simon Davou (Plateau North – PDP, Minority Leader), Oyewunmi Olarere (Osun West – PDP, Deputy Minority Leader), Darlington Nwokeocha (Abia Central – LP, Minority Whip), Rufai Hanga (Kano Central – NNPP, Deputy Minority Whip).
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abass Abbas had announced Julius Ihonvbere, lawmaker representing Owan East/Owan West Federal Constituency of Edo as the majority leader; lawmaker representing Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro of Kogi, Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims, as deputy majority leader; Bello Kumo (APC – Gombe) as Chief Whip, and Adewunmi Onanuga (APC – Ogun) as Deputy Chief Whip).
According to Adamu, he heard “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, the NWC (National Working Committee) has not given any such information or communicated about the choice of offices,” he said.
“Whatever announcement is done either by the President of the Senate, Deputy Senate President, Speaker or Deputy Speaker is not from this secretariat,” he added.
