Ahead of the swearing in of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s next President on May 29, All Progressives Congress (APC) has purportedly zoned key offices in the new administration to douse political fireworks.
The party zones the position of National Chairman, and Speakership in the House of Representatives to North Central (Niger, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa (Nassarawa), Kwara).
North East Region comprising Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe has Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and House of Representatives Majority Leader.
Secretary to the Federal Government and Deputy Senate President go to North West (Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, Zamfara).
The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Senate Majority Chief Whip domicile in South West Region (Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo States).
Senate Majority Leader goes to South East (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo).
The South South comprising Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross-River, Delta, Edo, Rivers is to produce Senate President, and House Minority Chief Whip.
Already, President-elect, Bola Tinubu and APC leaders are weighing options ahead of the 10th National Assembly (NASS) inauguration.
Since his return from France, Tinubu has moved into the Defence House in Abuja on Wednesday.
Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima has also moved into his awaiting swearing in on May 29.
Tinubu hosted Senator Godswiill Akpabio, Senator Jibrin Barau and Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
He also received in audience the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Deputy Senate President– Ovie Omo-Agege; House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamiala, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa).
Others were Abdullahi Adamu (APC chairman), Iyiola Omisore (secretary), Senators Orji Kalu, Rochas Okorocha, Opeyemi Bamidele, Jibrin Barau; Hon. James Faleke, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin and Hon. Muktar Betara.
Lagos Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa; former VP candidate placeholder Kabiru Masari; business mogul, Aliko Dangote; Nuhu Ribadu (ex-EFCC chairman) also visited the residence.
At separate and joint meetings with party members, Tinubu discussed the composition of the leadership of the 10th NASS as part of efforts to reach a possible consensus.
The top four positions are expected to be shared among the four regions outside the South-West and North-East where Tinubu and Shettima hail from.
Straightnews gathered that the Senate Presidency may go to the South-South (a Christian), while the Speakership may go to the North-West (a Muslim).
The North-Central is being considered for the Deputy Senate Presidency, while a South-Easterner may become the next Deputy Speaker.
Senate Chief Whip, Orji Kalu too is interested but there are factors against him. His region produced the least votes for the APC and he initially wanted Lawan as the presidential candidate.
For Speakership, though Betara is one of the contenders, the fact that he hails from the same region and state (Borno) as the VP-elect may rule him out.
Meanwhile, Senators from Tinubu’s state, Lagos, are likely to get key offices: Opeyemi Bamidele (Senate Leader), Solomon Adeola (Appropriation committee), Tokunbo Abiru (Banking and Insurance committee).
Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly is expected to start on June 13 tentatively, two weeks after the inauguration of Tinubu and Shettima at the Eagle Square.
10th National Assembly Contenders
Meanwhile, those eyeing the 10th Senate presidency include Senator Godswill Akpabio (APC- Akwa Ibom North West), Senator Jibrin Barau (APC Kano North); and Senator Abdul- Aziz Yari (APC, Zamfara).
Also, there are insinuations that Governor David Umahi (APC, Ebonyi South) and Mr. Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), who are first-time legislators are interested in becoming Senate president.
