Respect APC’s Choice For National Assembly Leadership Positions — Wike

The Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesome Wike has urged candidates contesting for leadership positions in the 10th assembly to respect the zoning formulas of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Talking on Saturday in Kaduna, Wike asked the candidates to keep in mind national interest above their ambitions and submit to the leadership of the party.

Recall that the APC had nominated Godswill Akpabio, a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Tajudeen Abbas, a member of the House of Representatives,  as candidates for the Senate President and speaker of the House of Representatives.

The party also picked Barau Jibrin, senator representing Kano north, as deputy senate president, and Benjamin Kalu, current house spokesperson, as deputy speaker.

However, some party stakeholders and candidates in the national assembly leadership race have opposed the selection of the four candidates.

Wike encouraged the aspirants to accept the party’s zoning decision and withdraw from the race.

The statement reads,  â€œNo president can do very well if he does not have that leadership that will corporate with him,”

Wike reminded them that the challenges that truncated President Muhammadu Buhari’s performance in the first term were affected by the squabble between the leadership of the national assembly and the administration.

The then Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara served as Senate president and speaker of the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019. They defied the party’s zoning arrangement at the time to emerge as deciding officers of the national assembly.

“You remember what happened in 2015 — that affected the performance of the present administration,” Wike added.

The statements read;  â€œI think for the interest of Nigeria, let them respect the leadership of their party and the president to move the country forward.”

Wike also said he believes President-elect Bola Tinubu will set up the “best team” to get the country running after he takes the oath of office on May 29.

“I believe that he means well for this country. I have that belief that he is ready for the job,” he concludes.