The race for the Senate Presidency of the 10th National Assembly has been narrowed down to three candidates: former Governor Godswill Akpabio, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, and Senator Osita Izunaso. According to reliable sources, this has led to the creation of three power blocs, headed by Akpabio, Yari, and Izunaso, with senators-elect aligning themselves with one of the three camps.
This development has created controversy within the All Progressives Congress (APC) as some party members have openly disagreed with the zoning arrangement in the consensus list. While some have argued for the supremacy of the party’s decision, others have made a case for their regions, especially the North-Central, which has been vocal about its position since the zoning list came out.
During the extraordinary meeting of the APC All Progressives Congress Senators and Senators-Elect on Friday, Akpabio’s candidacy was reportedly sustained by the endorsement of President-elect Bola Tinubu. Reports indicate that his group is mainly composed of South-West senators and a few members from the South-South, South-East, and North-Central. This bloc comprises 54 senators, but it is unclear whether the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who has consistently called for “further and better” consultations on the zoning arrangement, supports it.
The second bloc is spearheaded by former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari. It was formed in response to the announcement of Akpabio as the consensus candidate for the position. The members, mainly from the North, with a majority of South East, South-South, and two or three from South West, are reportedly angered by the unilateral selection of Akpabio by the President-Elect, whom they believe will not protect northern interests.
The third bloc is the Izunaso group, whose members are spread across all the geo-political zones. It comprises former members of the House of Representatives, serving senators, and new senators who are rooting for change. The group reportedly meets regularly and is gaining more supporters daily.
However, Sunday has learned that there are talks between the two blocs to work together and share the positions of Senate President and Deputy Senate President. If the talks are successful, the combined group would have an overwhelming majority in the Senate.
Meanwhile, there is pressure from President-Elect Tinubu’s loyalists to withdraw support for Akpabio due to his alleged criminal history. According to a Senator loyal to the Yari faction, the image of a person with corruption charges leading the legislative arm would send a wrong signal to investors, stakeholders, and the international community, thus threatening Nigeria’s progress in the fight against corruption. They advise the President-Elect to endorse a clean, experienced, and competent ranking Senator from the South-South or South-east, with Senator Osita Izunaso being their top recommendation.