Akpabio, Abass Are On Their Own- APC Dissociates Self From Announcement Of N/A Principal Officers

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

Abdullahi Adamu, the National Chairman of All Progressive Congress, APC has dissociated the ruling party from the list of principal officers for the 10th National Assembly announced on Tuesday, July 4, by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abass.

Adamu who dissociated the ruling party stated that the list did not emanate from the party.

This is according to his statement during meeting with the Progressive Governors’ Forum led by Hope Uzidinma, the executive governor of Imo State.

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).

However, Adamu maintained that the National Headquarters of the Party, the National Working Committee, has not given such information regarding the announcements in the Senate and House of Representatives.

He stated that whatever announcement done by the President of the Senate and Speaker is not from APC secretariat.