Senators-elect vying for leadership positions are forming alliances across the northern and southern geopolitical zones.
Recently, the National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (North-West), Salihu Lukman, lamented that some members-elect eyeing leadership seats had turned the APC national secretariat into a warehouse where several trucks were offloading bags of rice and sugar for party leaders and members of the National Working Committee.
The PUNCH had reported that some aspirants were wooing new members with huge amounts of money in foreign currencies and juicy committee membership.
Some of the lawmakers in the race are Senators Jibrin Barau (Kano Central), Sani Musa (Niger East), Ali Ndume ( Borno South) Orji Kalu (Abia North), and GodsWill Akpabio (Akwa-Ibom NorthWest ).
Others are Senators Osita Izunaso (Imo West), Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North), Abdul’Aziz Yari (Zamfara West), Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi South), and Adams Oshiomole (Edo North), among others.
A source said that a Niger lawmaker was meeting with the southern senators and was willing to partner with anyone.
The lawmakers however dismissed the reports.
Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South and former majority leader, said he was not engaged in such.
He said, “Who is forming alliances? That doesn’t make sense. The party hasn’t decided on the zoning, such actions would mean putting the cart before the horse. The focus right now is that we are asking the party to throw the leadership seats open, so lawmakers can decide who they want to be their leader.”
“I am the most qualified for the position; I see no reason why I should look for who to collaborate with when they should be the ones looking for me.”
Also, the senator representing Kano Central, Jibrin Barau said he was unaware of such alliances.
He stated, “This is the first time I am hearing that. I am not in form of any alliance with any southern senator. We are all awaiting zoning from the party, so it’s preemptive for people to go into any form of alliances. There is no such thing happening.”
Meanwhile, Sunday PUNCH learnt that some of the aspirants were currently in London and Paris, meeting with the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The source also said a former national chairman of the party and a key member of the NWC was among those at the meeting to brainstorm with Tinubu on the way forward.
