10th NASS: Tinubu, Lawan, Gbajabiamila parley over leadership positions As Abbas, Kalu, Bawa meet President in Aso Rock

By Egena Sunday Ode

As the nation gets set for the proclamation of the 10th National Assembky, President Bola Tinubu on Thursday at the presidential villa, Abuja met with Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila over the race to fill the presiding officers.

The meeting of the leadership of both chambers of the legislature with the President was followed by a separate one involving Tajudeen Abbas and Ben Kalu, both anointed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the speakership and deputy speakership positions, respectively, of the 10th House of Representatives.

The race has become contentious following the rejection of Godswill Akpabio and Abbas as favourites of the ruling All Progressives Congress leadership for the office of Senate President and Speaker of the House.

Tinubu similarly met with the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, for the second time in barely 24 hours.

When he came to the villa on Wednesday, the anti-graft boss had told correspondents that he was there to brief the president.

Fielding questions after their meeting, Lawan affirmed that he gave his opinion to the President on how the leadership of the 10th Assembly should emerge.

He said he had never indicated interest to contest for the post of the senate president in the Assembly, saying that national interest and the interest of the legislature should be the guiding principles in selection of its leaders.

The outgoing Senate President said: “What will inform the emergence will be the national interest, interest of the National Assembly, the legislature together, and therefore everybody matters in this process.

“We also believe that Mr. President having been a Senator himself and his Vice President also having been a Senator, this is something that they will always wish and pray for.

“As the chairman of the 9th National Assembly, I find it dutiful and necessary to work with all the major stakeholders especially the leadership of our country, Mr President particularly to give my necessary opinion and advise on how the new leadership of the National Assembly should emerge and what we need to do to ensure stability, productivity of the National Assembly and to ensure peaceful atmosphere between the legislature and the executive arm of government.

“We are getting somewhere and my prayer is we are able to resolve all the outstanding issues by the grace of God. And Mr President is positively disposed to everything being done smoothly.”

Lawan affirmed that against speculations, he never said he would contest the position in the 10th Senate, saying: “On a more serious note, I have I never indicated interest to run for the office of the President of the Senate in the 10th National Assembly.

“We have worked together with distinguished senators of the 9th National Assembly and members of House of Representatives to create a very clement environment for us to work.

“We have been productive, much more productive than any National Assembly. We have worked very closely with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and of course that helped the administration also.

“My prayer and wish and hope is that we are able to have peaceful transition from those who are outgoing to a new set of leaders of National Assembly and who will continue to unite everybody in the National Assembly, in the senate.

“We want to have a leadership in the senate that will unite senators to work so well regardless of their political parties. The same thing in the House of Representatives.

“But the truth is I have never indicated interest to run but I have a responsibility to the Senate, the National Assembly having been in the National Assembly for 24 years now, especially when we have 70 percent of members in the National Assembly especially in the Senate who are new.

“Those of us who have been there longer owe everybody that responsibility to at least help mentoring those who are new if we are not going to be presiding officers or hold principal positions.

“I don’t really wish to be one. I have played my part and I am happy that we have played our part, we have made positive impacts but of course, we have had our fair share of shortcomings but I can hold my head high on behalf of all my colleagues in the Senate and the National Assembly that this National Assembly has contributed to national development in no mean measure and have succeeded in getting very critical legislation passed and assented to by the former President.”

Also speaking to correspondents later, Abbas said they discussed issues facing the country with the president including the removal of petroleum subsidy.

The candidate, who represents Kaduna State, denied that the 9th House of Representatives was a rubber stamp, denying that his selection is meant to keep the House compromised.

He argued that the 9th Assembly has been the best in the history of Nigerian’s democracy in terms of cordial relationship with the Executive and what was achieved.

The speakership candidate assured that nobody can manipulate the 360 members of the House of Representatives.

Abbas said everything was being done to carry along members aggrieved over their selection for the posts, assuring that come June 13, all members of the House would speak as one.

Kano governor appoints Accountant-General, 4 heads of agencies

statement by Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa yesterday.

He said the governor had also appointed Garba Ahmed-Bichi as the new Managing Director of Kano State Water Board.

This is contained in a

Yusuf, according to the statement, had appointed Dr.

Rahila Mukhtar as Executive Secretary, Kano State Healthcare Contributory Management Agency, KCHMA. Hassan Baba Danbaffa had been appointed as Managing Director, Kano State Road Maintenance Agency, KARMA.

The governor also appointed

Arc. Ibrahim Yakubu, Managing Director, Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority, KNUPDA.

Dawakin-Tofa stated that the swearing-in ceremony of the appointees would be announced soon to enable them assume office immediately.