News Analysis 10th Assembly: Battle line drawn over Senate President, HoR Speaker slots

The 10th National Assembly will be inaugurated in June. Preparatory to the inauguration day, the next line of political battle is among the members of the 10th National Assembly, especially the current principal officers are the game and struggle of who became the next Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as other Principals officers, our correspondents, IKECHUKWU OKAFORADI and CHRISTIANA EKPA write on the likely contestants.

From all indications and the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, it is clear that some experienced lawmakers will miss in the 10th National Assembly as some of them, who are aspiring for the positions of Presiding and Principal officers, failed in the general election.

A lot of them who were aspiring for the positions, failed to secure the tickets of their parties to re-contest parliamentary elections, while others lost to their opponents at the general election.

In the Senate, the same fate is playing out, as key senators, who are well positioned by experience, to contest and emerge as Senate President and principal officers, could not secure return tickets.

The list of those who did not make it includes, Minority leaders of both Chambers, senator Philip Aduda and Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, who lost at the general election, the Deputy Minority Leader Toby Okechukwu, who could not secure his party ticket, Hon. Magaji Dau’ Aliyu and Hon. Nkeiruka Onuejeocha, senator Mathew Urogide, among others who also lost at the just concluded poll.

The Prominent one among others who won their reelection and could be aspiring for the Senate President and Speakership positions are the Present Speakers, Femi Gbajabiamila, Deputy Speaker Idris Ahmed Wase, the Chairman of Appropriation, Aliyu Mukta Betara, the Spokesman of the House, Benjamin Okezie Kalu and the embattled Leader of the House, Alhassan Ado Doguwa.

Others are Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, Godwill Akpabio, Ahmed Lawan, the incumbent President of Senate, Ali Ndume, former Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, senator Adamu Aliero, incumbent senator leader, Ibrahim Gobir, among others.

For the Speaker Gbajabiamila, the victory of Ahmed Tinunu gave him an edge over all others aspiring for the position of the Speakership but there are also feelers that Gbajabiamila could move to Villa for a position as Chief of Stuff to the President or Attorney General of the Federation.

Another Vital point to look at is the fact the Position of Speakership may be zoned to North West or North Central which could give Idris Wase an edge, also perhaps if not the needless controversy that surrounds his style of presiding the green chamber.

However, Gbajabiamila could stand a better chance if he decides to contest for the Speaker, as there is already laid precedence that the South West, particularly (Lagos) have The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the Speaker Gbajabiamila servicing the country at the same.

The Speaker who has been described as a bridge-builder and one of the most resilient, resourceful, and successful Nigerian politicians among his colleagues is not free from those who may kicked against his reelection as the Speaker of the House, as there were alleged threat of impeachment more than 3 times since he became the Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Hon. Idris Wase, on his part was said to have worked hard for the President Elect, Tinubu just for him to get the Speakership position but f old members will it difficult for him to scale through considering the fact that he was caught in a needless controversy several times preventing his colleagues from presenting their views on matter against the federal government and other ethnicity issues, Wase is been seen by among his colleagues to be impulsive and always want to have his with religious and ethnicity biases.

A perfect example of how he operates shows how he rides on tribal and religious sentiments, by stoutly preventing a member representing Gwer East, Gwer West Federal Constituency of Benue State, Hon. Mark Gbillah from presenting a petition against the federal government on the alleged takeover of their lands by herdsmen.

The petition filed by Mzough U Tiv Amerika

(MUTA) on insecurity in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba accused the federal government of nonchalance towards the perils facing those who have been displaced as a result of herdsmen activities. But Wase said Nigerians abroad are not eligible to file petitions against the federal government on crimes linked to herdsmen. He argued that Nigerians abroad had no rights to file a petition on the crisis, saying it would be understandable if the petition came from those in the country.

“Honourable Gbillah, did you say Tivs in America? What do they know about Nigeria? What is their business? They can’t sit in their comfort zones and know what is happening in Nigeria,” Wase said. Responding, Gbillah argued that Nigerians abroad should be able to file complaints, because they have family members residing in the state. But Wase questioned whether or not MUTA was even registered with the Corporate Affairs of Commission to begin with.

Gbillah, however, countered Wase on the grounds that Nigeria has been pursuing a policy of inclusiveness for its citizens in the Diaspora, an aim he said would easily be defeated if the same category of Nigerians cannot be allowed to speak on raging matters of national concern. Rejecting the petition, Wase, ‘’I’ll refer you to the functions of the committee on diaspora, if you go through that, it is nothing relevant to what you’re now presenting. I’m not convinced that we have to take that petition.’’

The media, however, missed the drama until the video surfaced online. As expected, there were reactions and a huge backlash, as the video portrayed the Deputy Speaker as nothing but an ethnic jingoist in such a high national office. The backlash, which Wase ordinarily was unprepared for later forced him to issue a statement justifying why the petition was rejected without even considering its merits.

The majority leader of the House Doguwa, ambition, dreams and desires to become the Speaker of the House seem to be over as he has been sent to Prison for culpable homicide, conspiracy, mischief, unlawful possession of firearms and inciting disturbance.

Others charged at large are Nazifi Asnanic, Nafiu Musa, Hamisu Amadu and Abdulhadi Alaramma.

Alhassan Doguwa was charged with burning a building that resulted in the burning of Alasan Mohammed and Aminu Malam Amadu to death, while Bashir Yani, Labaran Sule and one Amadu were injured by the fire,” one of the charges read in part.

The offences are contrary to Section 97, 114, 247, 336 and 221 of Penal Code.

Another Lawmaker who stands good chance outside Gbajabiamila is Aliyu Betara as he is widely accepted among his colleagues due to his open-minded roles in the lives of his colleagues and the way he carries his colleagues along in the decision of his Appropriation Committee

He is also a major force in returning the Budget circle from January to December and there feeler also that he secretly stepped down to work for Gbajabiamila during their last principal officer’s election with a promise that the Speaker will consider him.

However, the choice of the Vice President Kashim Settima may create an obstacle for him, but there is also a laid down precedence that Nigeria once had Vice and the House Speaker from the same zone, just as the saying goes that everything is possible in Nigeria.

The Spokesperson of the House, Benjamin Kalu also stands a good chance for the Speakership position but ambition of his God father and Uncle, Senator Orji Kalu who is been position and have worked for Tinubu for the Position of the Senate President could be an obstacle against the young outspoken who has been described as one of the must outstanding Spokesperson since in session of the House.

One notable fact is that, the olde members always have their way of influencing the new members on how the electing principal officers should be and that only indicates that Gbajabiamila will still hold the show as he will determine who becomes next Speaker of the House if he is not contesting.

In the Senate, the battle will be largely determined by where the party decision on zoning will swing. If APC decides to zone to the South East, then Orji Kalu becomes the best choice, given his experience and friendship with northern politicians, including northern Senators.

However, political pundits believe that Tinubu will not be comfortable with a Kalu led Senate, especially looking at the fact that he supported Ahmed Lawan, a northerner against him (Tinubu) during the primaries of the party.

To this line of thought, former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio, will do better in the rank of preferred candidate for Tinubu, especially given that he played a good boy role by stepping down for Tinubu before the commencement of APC primaries at Eagle Square.

Looking at all these permutations, one can say it is only time that will tell how the party may decide to zone the positions and if the lawmakers will accept the zoning arrangements of the party. Only time will tell.