Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Former Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate and senator-elect for Bauchi Central, Abdul Ahmed Ningi, on Wednesday, said there are at least 67 of his colleagues who have keyed into the aspiration of Orji Uzor Kalu and Abdulaziz Yari to emerge as Presiding Officers of the Senate. He said majority of the contenders for the Senate Presidency are working together and that discussions were ongoing among them. 

This is coming, even as a parliamentary watchdog, the Coalition for Parliamentary Democracy (CPD), warned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against its insistence on micro zoning the Senate Presidency to Godswill Akpabio, saying the party might inadvertently be playing into the hands of the opposition.

 

The 10th National Assembly in Nigeria is gradually settling down, but the question of the manner of parliament remains. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas was overwhelmingly voted as the Speaker of the House on June 13, winning 353 votes. Abbas's leadership has created a united, people-friendly, and focused House. The ruling APC's endorsement of Abbas generated furor, but Abbas remains committed to upholding checks and balances. The 10th Assembly will work closely with the Executive and Judiciary to provide good governance and uplift citizens' lives.

Abbas's leadership is based on transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law. He owes a debt of gratitude to his colleagues for their massive support during the contest, but his emergence was a product of a unanimous decision by members, and he does not owe anyone in particular but service to humanity and Nigerians.