SAN FRANCISCO, June 11, (THEWILL) – The main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has adopted Senator Ali Ndume and Hon. Umar Mohammed Bago for Senate President and Speaker of House of Representatives respectively for the 9th national assembly.
The party said it took the decision after consultations with leaders, governors elected on the platform of the party, senators-elect and Representatives-elect of the House and stakeholders.
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, which has majority in the two chambers of the legislature, had endorsed Senator Ahmad Lawan and Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as Senate President and Speaker of the House, respectively. Both Ndume and Bago are also of the APC which makes the elections tricky. The winners will emerge by simple majority ballot.
National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Umar Ibrahim Tsauri, said: “This decision is in the best interest of the nation, in line with our party’s determination to deepen democracy, ensure a strong and independent legislature, strict compliance with the principle of separation of powers as well as constitutional checks and balances in the polity.
“All senators and members-elect on the platform of the PDP are to be guided accordingly.”
The National Assembly will be formally inaugurated today and leaders will be elected during the inaugural session.
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