9th National Assembly: APC backs Senator Lawan’s decision to negotiate with PDP Senators-elect

Sade AdewaleApril 15, 2019

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, has approved the decision of Senator Ahmed Lawan to negotiate with senators-elect under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with a view to becoming the next Senate President.

The endorsement was made known in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in Abuja on Sunday.

He said while APC maintains the majority seats in the both chambers of the incoming National Assembly as well as the capacity to produce the presiding officers in the Federal Legislature alone, it is not averse to Senator Lawan’s decision to negotiate with the lawmakers-elect towards achieving the party’s objectives.

He said, “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. 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 fulfil 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.”