Speaker slot: Crack in APC deepens as North central group protests

Despite threats to move against those who kicked against its proposed zoning arrangement, indication has emerged that the North central zone would not relent in its agitation for the exalted position of Speaker of the House of Repreaentatives in the 9th Assembly.

The All Progressives Congress stakeholders have since zoned the office of Senate President to the North East and further announced Senate Majority Leader, Ahmed Lawan as its anointed candidate.

At the weekend on the eve of House Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila’s declaration to seek for the position of Speaker, House of Repreaentatives, a national leader of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has warned that the party stakeholders would reprimand those smarting to challenge the unfolding zoning arrangment.

But members of the party from the North central zone on Tuesday staged a protest at the party national secretariat, insisting that the slot of Speaker of the Green Chamber be reserved for the North central.

ALSO READ: 9th NASS: APC chiefs in game of wits •el-Rufai camp battles Tinunu’s men

The group, under the aegis of North-Central APC Ambassadors in a petition, addressed to the APC national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole declared that the geopolitical zone delivered over 2.4 million votes to President Muhamadu Buhari and should be adequately rewarded.

The group further noted that since North-west has the President, South-west with Vice President and Senate President has been zoned to North-east, Speakership must be zoned to North-central.

The petition signed by five state coordinators and its coordinator in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) read in part: “North-central should be rewarded for its performance in the 2019 election. With 2.4million votes for President Muhammadu Buhari, North-central came third behind North West and North East.

“Even though South West has the Vice President, it didn’t perform as well as North-central in last elections. So, who should be rewarded?

“North-central has consistently been loyal to the party. Since 1999, North Central has never occupied the position of the speaker or deputy speaker while all the other zones have occupied these positions.”

Those who signed the petition were Muyideen Yusuf (Kwara), Rita Longjap (Plateau), Muhammad Ibn Muhammad (Niger), Lucas Cassius (Nasarawa) Yahaya Dauda (FCT) and Shehu Araga (Kogi).