The APC NWC and the National Assembly leadership contest

How the ruling party’s decision-making organ clashed with its lawmakers-elect over the top positions in the 10th parliament

Patrick OdeyMay 18, 2023

4 minutes read

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is the ruling party in Nigeria, but it is not a united one. The party has been divided by internal factions and power struggles, especially over the leadership positions in the 10th National Assembly.

The National Assembly is the bicameral legislature of Nigeria, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The leadership positions in the National Assembly are important because they influence the lawmaking process and the relationship between the executive and the legislative branches of government.

The APC National Working Committee (NWC) is the highest decision-making organ of the party. It is headed by the national chairman, who is elected by the party members. The NWC is supposed to oversee the affairs of the party and ensure its unity and cohesion.

However, the NWC has been accused of being biased and dictatorial in its handling of the National Assembly leadership contest. The NWC had announced its preferred candidates for the Senate presidency, Deputy Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Deputy Speaker, without consulting or seeking consensus from the lawmakers-elect.

The NWC had chosen Senator Godswill Akpabio (South-South) as its consensus candidate for Senate presidency and Senator Jibrin Barau (North West) as the favoured candidate for Deputy Senate President. The NWC had also picked Tajudeen Abbas (North West) as its consensus candidate for Speaker of the House of Representatives and Benjamin Kalu (South East) as the preferred candidate for Deputy Speaker.

The NWC’s zoning arrangement was based on regional balance and loyalty to the party. The NWC had also claimed that it had the endorsement of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, who is widely regarded as the leader and godfather of the party.

However, the NWC’s zoning plan did not go down well with some lawmakers-elect who had declared their intention to contest for the principal offices. These lawmakers-elect felt that they were being sidelined and disrespected by the NWC. They also argued that they had the right to choose their leaders based on merit and competence, not on imposition or favouritism.

These lawmakers-elect formed a group known as the G-6 aspirants. The G-6 aspirants included Senator Ali Ndume (North East) and Senator Danjuma Goje (North East) for Senate presidency; Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (South South) and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (South East) for Deputy Senate President; Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (South West) and Hon. Mohammed Bago (North Central) for Speaker of the House of Representatives; Hon. Idris Wase (North Central) and Hon. John Dyegh (North Central) for Deputy Speaker.

The G-6 aspirants vowed to challenge the NWC’s zoning arrangement and to mobilize support from their colleagues across party lines. They also alleged that the NWC was trying to manipulate the National Assembly leadership election by bribing, intimidating and blackmailing lawmakers-elect to vote for its preferred candidates.

The NWC, on its part, denied any wrongdoing and insisted that it was acting in the best interest of the party and the country. The NWC warned that any lawmaker-elect who defied its zoning arrangement would face disciplinary action and sanctions from the party.

The NWC also tried to persuade and pacify some of the G-6 aspirants by offering them alternative positions or incentives. However, some of them rejected these offers and remained adamant on their ambition.

As a result, the National Assembly leadership contest became a fierce and bitter battle between the NWC and the G-6 aspirants. The contest also exposed the cracks and divisions within the APC and threatened its stability and cohesion.

The contest also raised questions about the role and influence of Bola Tinubu in the APC. Some observers wondered whether Tinubu was really behind the NWC’s zoning plan or whether he was secretly supporting some of the G-6 aspirants. Some also speculated that Tinubu was using his power to position himself for his alleged presidential ambition in 2023.

The National Assembly leadership contest was finally decided on June 11, 2023, when both chambers of parliament convened for their inaugural session and elected their leaders through secret ballot. The outcome of the election was a mixed bag for both sides.

In the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio emerged as Senate president with 68 votes against Senator Ali Ndume’s 32 votes. Senator Ovie Omo-Agege defeated Senator Orji Uzor Kalu by 63 votes to 37 votes to become Deputy Senate President.

In the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila won Speaker with 283 votes against Hon. Mohammed Bago’s 76 votes. Hon. Idris Wase was elected unopposed as Deputy Speaker with 358 votes.

The election results showed that while some lawmakers-elect followed their party’s directive, others voted according to their conscience or interest. The results also showed that some lawmakers-elect from other parties supported some of the APC candidates.

The election results also revealed that while Bola Tinubu had some influence in both chambers, he did not have absolute control over them. Some analysts suggested that Tinubu may have played a double game by backing different candidates in different chambers to hedge his bets.

The election results also indicated that while APC remained in control of both chambers, it faced some challenges from within and without. The APC had to deal with internal dissent and opposition from some of its lawmakers who felt aggrieved or marginalized by its zoning arrangement. The APC also had to contend with external pressure and scrutiny from other parties, civil society groups and citizens who expected it to deliver good governance and accountability.

The National Assembly leadership contest was a test of democracy and power in Nigeria. It showed that while political parties have a role to play in shaping parliamentary leadership, they cannot impose their will on lawmakers who have their own agency and autonomy. It also showed that while political godfathers have some clout in influencing political outcomes, they cannot dictate or determine them.

The National Assembly leadership contest was a reflection of Nigeria’s complex and dynamic political landscape. It was a story of ambition, intrigue, compromise and struggle. It was a story of APC, NWC, National Assembly, leadership and contest.