SENATE PRESIDENT: APC admits favoured candidate Lawan having on-going consultations with PDP

Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has tacitly admitted that its favoured candidate for Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, has been involved in on-going consultations with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over his ambition to become the next Senate Leader.

The party, however, warned Lawan in a statement titled: ‘Reaction to prevailing questions’, that he should not compromise the progressive ideology of the ruling party.

The statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu reads thus; “We are inundated with reports of our members in the National Assembly holding consultations with members of the opposition over the election of leaders into the 9th National Assembly. Let me state that our party has no objection to such consultations.

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“It is a normal democratic practice, world over, to stretch hands across the divides. And, contrary to some media reports, the actions of our members do not contradict the party’s position. APC has comfortable majority in both chambers, therefore, we have the number to produce the leadership.

“But, democracy recognises the importance of the opposition, especially when you do not have two-third, which would be required at some very critical situations. For us as a ruling party, we understand that a stable and peaceful national assembly would enhance our capacity to deliver more for the people of Nigeria.

“So, the party is not averse to negotiation by Senator Ahmed Lawan and our other senators-elect working to fulfill the position taken by our party. It is important to note that one of the key considerations for adopting him as the party’s candidate for the senate presidency is his ability to carry everyone along.

“On top of that, the party has confidence in him not to compromise the progressive ideology of APC. So, clearly, Senator Ahmed Lawan is capable of conducting his negotiations within the prism of APC’s objectives.”

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