Thirty five senators- elect in Nigeria have endorsed the candidacy of Senator Bukola Saraki for the senate presidency.The Saraki supporters known as ‘35 Like Minds Senators’ made their position known Saturday in a statement signed by Dino Melaye.
Titled : “Resolution Of Adoption Of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki By 35 Like Minds Senators As Sole Candidate For The Office Of The Senate President Of The 8th National Assembly”,the statement said “Senators of the like mind are here today at the retreat organized by our dear Party All Progressive Congress, which is meant to equip and empower Senators-Elect of the 8th Assembly to prepare them toward the challenges ahead. We commend the leadership of our party for this timely and well-focused exercise.
“The issue of National Assembly leadership is about integrity, competence, discipline and leadership skills and not about fixing of candidates just for mere horse-trading. Our stand is about electing a senator who eventually becomes the chairman of National Assembly and relates with the executive on behalf of Nigerians, fellow Senators and the National Assembly as an institution.
“Furthermore leadership of National Assembly, is about the Senator that has the wherewithal to stabilize the legislative institution, working with the executive and judicial arm of government to be effective and perform to their optimal capacity.
The statement said further , “we are aware of the fact that ALL Senators from the North Central zone has taken a firm position that they are only interested in the office of the Senate President which has been earlier zoned by the National Working Committee of our party and we are also aware that North Central Senators have resolved to abide by the resolution of the zone on a single candidate and anything short of this is an attempt to jeopardize the collective interest of the zone.
“Of the 59 Senators of the APC, 35 of us present here today hereby reaffirm our collective commitment and resolution to ensure that the candidature of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki as the Senate President of 8th Assembly.
“We also resolved that the office of the Deputy Senate President be zoned to the North East.
But this endorsement may just be the easiest part of the battle.Senator Ahmed Lawan is believed to have the support of APC leader Bola Tinubu.Even more ,Another prominent Senator from the North Central,Senator George Akume is known to be in the race.
The implication is that with the split in the ranks of APC senators, those belonging to Peoples Democratic Party,PDP may play an influential role in deciding who clinches the post of Senate president,if PDP senators decide to vote as a bloc.
