The All Progressives Congress has said it was not opposed to the decision of Senator Ahmed Lawan and other senators-elect to consult with members of the opposition on the election of officers of the 9th National Assembly.
The party’s position was made known in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, and made available to journalists in Abuja.
He said the APC was not against negotiation by Lawan and other senators-elect working to fulfil the position taken by the party.
Recall that the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, had said the party did not need members of the Peoples Democratic Party to produce the next presiding officers of the National Assembly.
Issa-Onilu “We have been inundated with reports of our members in the National Assembly holding consultations with members of the opposition over the election of leaders into the Ninth National Assembly.
“Let me state that our party has no objection to such consultations. It is a normal democratic practice world over to stretch hands across the divides.
“And contrary to some media reports, the actions of our members do not contradict the party’s position. APC has comfortable majority in both chambers, therefore; we have the number to produce the leadership.
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“But democracy recognises the importance of the opposition, especially when you do not have two-third which would be required at some very critical situations.
“For us as a ruling party, we understand that a stable and peaceful National Assembly would enhance our capacity to deliver more for the people of Nigeria.
“So the party is not averse to negotiation by Senator Ahmed Lawan and our other Senators-elect working to fulfil the position taken by our party.
“It is important to note that one of the key considerations for adopting him as the party’s candidate for the Senate Presidency is his ability to carry everyone along.
“On top of that, the party has confidence in him not to compromise the progressive ideology of APC. So clearly, Senator Ahmed Lawan is capable of conducting his negotiations within the prism of APC’s objectives.”
He went on to say that the party’s leadership would soon release the remaining zoning arrangements for the two chambers of the National Assembly.
“Our party will soon release the zoning arrangements for the principal positions of the incoming Ninth National Assembly.
“The party will also make its position clear in the coming days on the principal positions in the House of Representatives,” the APC Publicity Secretary said.
