CENTUS NWEZE Reporting
Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, has been told in no uncertain term that his dream of emerging as Senate President is way too tall because only a man from Kano can emerge as the next helmsman for the Senate in the new Republic.
Making the bold assertion is Engr Muazu Magaji, a stalwart of All Progressives Congress (APC), on Friday in Kano.
According to him, it’s about rewarding loyalty which Kano has been more than a bastion of in party loyalty.
Muaz Magaji, the outspoken former Aide to Governor Ganduje told Reporters at a media parly that, “The presidency has gone to our partners in the Southwest, the vice presidency has gone to our partners in the Northeast, and the largest voting block and the largest political block deserves the presidency of the Senate”, his words.
Also a former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development in the state, he added, “Kano state has done very well in this presidential election.
“We have contributed the most votes, so you see, even in terms of reward and recognition, we have the right to say we need to have the Senate presidency. ”
He explained that the APC, despite the votes it had contributed to the election of the president-elect Bola Ahmad Tinubu, has only one Senator, Sen Barau Jibril in Kano State and any mistake of not making him the Senate president will affect the strength and control of the region by the party.
An interesting leadership tussle appears to be playing out at House of Reps way before inauguration of the leadership ahead the 10th House of Representative of the National Assembly, Truth Live News has learnt.
Rt Hon Aliyu Muktar Betara has thrown his hat in the ring seeking speakership of the House barely a week after Hon Tunji Olawuyi Ajuloopin indicated interest in contesting the position.
But the wave appears swinging in Batara’s favour after disclosure that that lawmaker has been able to woo minority parties to his side.
“All things being equal, there are strong indications that majority of the opposition Members-Elect of the 10th House of Representatives will vote for him as the Speaker when the National Assembly is convened in June,” explained a lawmaker to Truth Live News.
Already, group alliances are being formed across the opposition political parties to smoothen the endorsement within the various parties in favour of the legislator.
Betara is from Borno State, fifth time member of the green chambers and he is contesting the position alongside the current deputy Speaker, Plateau born Idris Wase and few other legislators.
Members of the opposition political parties which include the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Labour Party, LP, New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Advance Democratic Party, ADC, Social Democratic Party, SDP, currently made up the combined simple majority of about 163 while the ruling All Progressives Congress, Apc has 162 with some seats awaiting run off.