Ahead of the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly tomorrow, intense lobbying by the two major contenders, Senator Ahmad Lawan and Ali Ndume, has taken centre stage as both candidates seek to curry the favour of their colleagues.
Daily Independent gathered that there had been series of nocturnal meetings arranged by Lawan and Ndume with their colleagues in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Lawan and Ndume are both members of the ruling APC.
Our source, who said Lawan was having the upper hand based on the endorsements received so far from the leadership of the APC and other stakeholders, however, said it was too early to determine who would win the highly coveted position.
He added that Ndume too had his supporters but that many were scared of identifying with him in public for fear of being victimised.
While categorising the lawmakers into two, he said the first bloc consisted of senators who are unhappy with developments in the 8th National Assembly and desire a legislature that would give maximum cooperation to the executive arm of government. These senators are backing Lawan.
The second bloc, according to him, consisted of senators who want an independent National Assembly that would not be a rubber stamp to the presidency. This group believes that Ndume has the personality to make that possible if elected Senate President.
“There has been series of meetings from the two contenders. At the weekend, several meetings were held both from the Lawan and Ndume camps. I can categorically say that PDP senators met with the two and I am sure they have resolved at the Senate level.
“Right now, a lot of people believe that the odds favour Lawan based on the public endorsements he has so far received. But nobody can tell what may happen on that day.
“There are two blocs now. Those who want a National Assembly led by Lawan that will give the presidency maximum cooperation and those who want an independent National Assembly which they believe Ndume can handle.
“The picture will become clearer on Monday evening and Tuesday morning,” the source said.
In a related development, Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political organisation, said on the issue of the National Assembly leadership, the South-West would not support any candidate with questionable character as leaders, a principle laid down by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Speaking with Daily Independent, Yinka Odumakin, the organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, said: “As regards the election of the National Assembly, without mentioning anybody’s name, Yoruba stand for integrity in public and private lives because that is what our leader, late Obafemi Awolowo, taught us.
“Those who will lead us as men and women must be people of unimpeachable integrity, character, and of sound moral values.
“We recall when Awolowo was Premier of Western region and the government was having a dinner. A top leader of Action Group came to the party with his girlfriend.
“When Awolowo noticed that, in the middle of his speech, he stopped and said, ‘Chief, is that your wife I am seeing beside you?
“In fact, that was what led to the person leaving the Action Group and joining the opposition against Awolowo. But Awolowo had to stand his feet on high moral standing.
“So, anybody that they will vote into office from South-West, then the person must be of sound moral character, high integrity, and unimpeachable character.”
