Mallam Salihu Lukman, the National Vice Chairman (North‑West) of the All Progressives Congress, described the actions of some lawmakers who are seeking top positions in the National Assembly without consulting the ruling party as “disrespectful.” His comments came amid reports that several prominent politicians—including Senator Jubrin Barau of Kano North, Senate Chief Whip Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former Minister of Niger Delta and senator‑elect for Akwa Ibom North‑West Godswill Akpabio, Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi, and a few other lawmakers—are vying to become Senate President.
According to the reports, Barau hosted more than 70 senators‑elect to garner their support ahead of the inauguration of the 10th Parliament. Kalu, meanwhile, told journalists at a press conference that it was his turn to assume the Senate Presidency. On Tuesday, Kalu met with President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) at Aso Rock Villa and announced his intention to run for Senate President, later confirming to the press that he had “intimated Mr President of my intention to run for the office of the Senate President in the 10th National Assembly.”
Lukman, however, found this style of lobbying distasteful, calling it an insult to the ruling party. In a statement issued in Abuja, he said, “So far, we only have individual aspirations for leadership positions in the 10th National Assembly. Most of the aspirations hardly recognise the challenges of national cohesion. Unfortunately, most of those aspiring for positions of leadership in the 10th National Assembly appear to be disrespectful to structures of the party and their membership, including the NWC. Hardly do they show any interest to consult the NWC as an organ or its members individually. Somehow, there is also the demeaning perception that aspiring leaders could always acquire (however defined) the support of party organs. This must be remedied.”
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