AHEAD of the
inauguration of the 9th Senate, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public
Affairs, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi (APC, Niger North), has allayed fears of
Nigerians on possible leadership crisis in the 9th Senate as it was in the 8th.
Speaking with journalists shortly after collecting his Certificate of Return
from Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as senator-elect,
yesterday, Abdullahi said the required lessons to be learned from the
leadership squabbles of the 8th Senate had been learned, and would not repeat
itself. “I was a key player in the leadership configuration of the 8th Senate
and the attendant crises that followed, as one of the 43 returnees now, the
lessons learned will be used to prevent the mistakes of the past from
happening,’’ he said.
Senate Meanwhile, strong indications emerged, yesterday,
that the fight for who becomes the presiding officers has taken a new
dimension. This time, former governor of Kano State, Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC,
Kano South), has declared his intention to vie for the position of Deputy
Senate President. Senator Gaya, who declared his intention yesterday at the
International Conference Centre, ICC, after collecting his Certificate of
Return as senator-elect from Kano South into the 9th Senate, told journalists
that his aspiration was driven by mass appeal for the position from his
colleagues and his burning desire to serve in the leadership of the next
Senate, having returned for the fourth time. Gaya said: “I thank the
Almighty Allah who granted me the grace of being elected into the Senate for
the fourth time. ‘’As regards the leadership composition of the 9th Senate,
majority of my colleagues are mounting pressure on me to run for the position
of Deputy Senate President which I want to use this opportunity to announce,
being one the most ranking senators in the 9th Senate.” Gaya, who noted that
his ambition for the position will be determined by the permission of the
Presidency and the party, said had Senator Bukola Saraki remained in APC and
won, he would have still retained his position as Senate President.
Before
Gaya’s open declaration for Deputy Senate President position, the focus had
been on Senators Ahmed Lawan ( APC Yobe North), Ali Ndume ( APC Borno South)
and Danjuma Goje ( APC Gombe Central) for the position of Senate President .
But the leadership positions for the 9th senate are still open as far as many
of the APC senators-elect are concerned. In separate interviews granted at the
ceremony, many of the senators said the Presidency and leadership of the party
will give direction to that effect . Specifically, Senator-elect, Adedayo
Adeyeye ( APC Ekiti South), said for the 9th Senate to avoid the leadership
crisis that engulfed the 8th, the national leadership of the party must provide
the required direction to that effect .
However Senator – elect Bamidele
Opeyemi ( APC Ekiti Central ) in his own suggestion for seamless leadership
configuration in the 9th Senate, said whatever process that will be used by the
Presidency and party leadership must be well managed to avoid any backlash. He
said: “The calibre and character of personalities elected for the 9th
Senate are very solid and promising for the country but leadership is key , the
very reason the leadership of the ruling party must manage well whatever
process will be used for emergence of leadership at both chambers of the
National Assembly. “ Once this is done, the party and in particular, the
National Assembly and the Presidency, will be on the same page on development-driven
bills sponsorship, policy formulations and approvals.”