APC disowns National Assembly principal officers

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disowned the new principal officers announced by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

The National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, made this known during a meeting with members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) on Tuesday.

Akpabio and Abbas had at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, announced the emergence of new principal officers, saying the announcement was in line with agreements by the caucuses of the majority and the minority parties.

Addressing the Governors, Adamu said the party had no input in the names of lawmakers making rounds as principal officers of the National Assembly.

“The election of the principal officers of the Senate by the Senate President and Deputy Senate President, the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives have been determined and announced and their responsibilities.

“The remaining offices will be determined by the two chambers (and) is yet to be done. I had a courtesy call on Saturday from the President of the Senate and his Deputy. The following day, which was Sunday, I received the visit by the Speaker and his Deputy Speaker coming to me for Sallah’s homage.

“But, I am just hearing as a rumour now from the online media that there have been some announcements in the Senate and House of Representatives.

“The NWC has not given any such information or communication about the choice of offices.

“And until we formally resolve and communicate with them in writing which is the norm and practice, it is not our intention to break away from traditions. So whatever announcement is done either by the President of the Senate, Deputy Senate President, Speaker or Deputy Speaker, is not from this secretariat,” he said.