ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Working Committee, NWC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, led by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has disowned the majority leadership positions announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The party’s National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, stated that the party has not officially communicated the presiding officers regarding these positions.
The statement was made on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, during a meeting with APC governors.
This development reflects a disconnect between the party’s National Working Committee and the legislative leaders.
The announcement of leadership positions in the National Assembly by Senate President Akpabio and House Speaker Abbas had gained attention, but the party’s disavowal signifies an internal lack of consensus on the issue.
Senator Abdullahi Adamu emphasized the need for proper communication and due process within the party to ensure that any announcements made are in line with the party’s directives and consensus.
The APC is expected to address the issue internally to ascertain the appropriate channels of communication and decision-making concerning appointing leadership positions in the National Assembly.
As of now, it remains unclear what steps the APC will take to resolve the disagreement and what implications this may have on the party’s internal dynamics and its functioning within the National Assembly.
Party members and political observers will be closely watching how this situation unfolds.
10th National Assembly: Opeyemi Bamidele Emerges as Senate Majority Leader
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the new majority leadership of the 10th Senate, naming Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti) as the Majority Leader.
The announcement was made during the Senate’s plenary session on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, following its resumption from the Eid-El Kabir break.
In addition to Senator Opeyemi Bamidele as Majority Leader, Senator Mohammed Ndume (APC-Borno) was named the Chief Whip, Senator David Umahi (APC-Ebonyi) as the Deputy Leader, and Senator Lola Ashiru (APC-Kwara) as Deputy Chief Whip.
Senator Akpabio stated, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus of the Senate after consultations has emerged with their leadership which will be the fulcrum of commencing other businesses of the chamber. I’m happy to announce that by consensus the Senate Leader is Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele.”
The Senate had adjourned sitting on June 14, 2023, for Eid-El Kabir and resumed on July 4, 2023.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele is a ranking senator representing the Ekiti Central Senatorial District and was Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters in the 9th National Assembly.
He is also the founder and principal attorney at the Law Office of Opeyemi Bamidele & Associates.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University), a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) Degree from the University of Benin, and a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from the Franklin Pierce Law Centre at the University of New Hampshire Law School in the United States.
Bamidele is a licensed attorney in both Nigeria and New York, and an active member of the Nigerian Bar, the New York Bar, the American Bar Association, and the International Bar Association.
In October 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari conferred him with the prestigious National Honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, in recognition of his contributions to democracy and governance in Nigeria.
This development comes as the All Progressives Congress, APC, is navigating its internal dynamics regarding the announcement of leadership positions in the National Assembly.
It remains to be seen how the party’s National Working Committee, which previously stated that it had not officially communicated leadership positions, will respond to the Senate President’s announcement.
