With the defections, last week, of four Senators from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Labour Party (LP), some federal lawmakers have predicted difficult times ahead for the ruling party in the buildup to the 2023 polls.
The spread of lawmakers in the Upper Chamber is now APC 66, with PDP, Young People’s Party (YPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), NNPP and LP members of the minority parties standing at 43.
At the resumption of plenary on June 14, APC Senators, Ahmad Babba Kaita (Katsina North), Lawal Yahaya Gumau (Bauchi South) and Francis Alimikhena (Edo North) cross-carpeted to other political party; and on June 22, Senators Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi moved from the PDP and Dauda Jika moved from the APC to the LP and NNPP respectively.
In letters submitted to the leadership of the Upper Chamber and read at plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, the lawmakers lamented among others, that their party primaries were poorly conducted and that state governors hijacked party machineries to their disadvantages.
To stem the gale of defection, APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, in company of members of the National Working Committee (NWC), on Friday, stormed the National Assembly where he held a close-door meeting with the APC Caucus of the Senate.
But Senator Abba Moro (PDP Benue South) described Adamu’s visit as “one visit too late,” adding that the APC failed to take proactive steps towards addressing the grievances earlier expressed by her lawmakers.
His words: “If you heard the narrative at the Senate and the letters that have been written, it is not as if these things happened suddenly or that people didn’t know.
“The parties were aware; where Governors had hijacked the electoral process completely and the people affected have been crying and complaining very bitterly and nobody cared a hut for them until they have decided to take their destinies in their hands now and then you go to visit.
“For instance you go to visit members and you ask people who have defected to come back to the party that you will address their case; how are you going to address it because most of these people have gone to other political parties and they have picked their tickets.
The deadline for submission of names of candidates has elapsed, so, how are you going to address it? The nature of grievances on ground can certainly not be addressed in the circumstances of our electoral laws and so, I do not see that visit achieving much.
“Of course, maybe for those who are still waiting to defect, it may affect a few of them. But I can assure you that it is not going to stop the fate of defection going forward.”
Senator Moro, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), told Sunday Independent that the APC risks losing the 2023 general elections, as “it is not going to be business as usual in the next election in 2023.”
He continued: “Certain things will have to be given, and certain seats will have to be given against the backdrop of the movement of very high profile personalities across the parties. And also seeing that the major reasons they are giving is the distorted process of primaries.
“Before now, the people have not been that much and of high profile nature. But recently, especially after the primaries all these parties have had their own fair share of criticisms of what they have done wrong and what they have not done at all.
“And that is the major reason why you find people moving from one place to the other, especially from the APC. Come to think of it, it is unimaginable for instance that a whole Senate leader will contest for the governorship of his state and you’re saying ridiculously that he scored zero in the primaries.
“Meaning that even among the people of his ward, not a single person voted for him. I think it is not correct. And it is very unfortunate for us, and I hope it will impact very seriously on the electoral process in 2023.”
In his remarks, Senator Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central) criticized the wave of defection at the National Assembly, noting that the situation is a moral issue and has the capacity to affect the fortunes of the party in the upcoming poll.
“If the APC fails to handle the issue of defection and they became a minority in the National Assembly, it has a moral effect and it certainly has the capacity of affecting the 2023 elections against the party because the National Assembly, the Senate, once it is taken over by the opposition in an election year, they have the capacity and the capability of swinging public opinion and vote against the ruling party.
“What I can tell you is that the expectation of many Senators is that since one of them has become the Chairman of the party, they were expecting to have an automatic ticket. One of the demands they made to him when he became the APC Chairman is to give us automatic tickets.”
This is as he revealed that only the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, can pacify the lawmakers and stop them from working against the party in the upcoming elections; insisting however that the national chairman has nothing to offer them.
“Now, considering the fact that many of them have lost their primaries, they have nothing to lose in the National Assembly. Also, he cannot promise them anything because right now the party itself is grasping for breath and for life.
“So, nothing will pacify these Senators other than giving them their tickets and it is impossible because primaries have been conducted and certificates have been issued to those who won.
“So, some of these Senators were removed by their Governors, some of them were removed by certain arrangements or political considerations. It is virtually impossible. There is nothing he can promise them for them to believe.
“And I believe that perhaps the only person that can pacify them is the Presidential flag bearer of their party. If they don’t hear from him directly, it is not going to pacify the Senators.”
On his part, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC Niger North) expressed confidence that the situation in the Upper Chamber APC will not affect the quality of legislation being made by the lawmakers.
He said: “I am very confident about one thing. The same Senators that have worked over the past seven years to provide stability, to break jinx, to work for Nigerians, are still the same Senators. Forget about them changing the vehicles that brought them to the National Assembly.
“So, I’m very optimistic that these same Senators are going to continue to work as we have always done to ensure that the government continues to serve the best interest of Nigerians, because we are all Nigerians and our purpose even when they express their democratic rights by changing vehicles, it is simply because of their commitment to making Nigeria work better. So, I don’t see any threat as far as I am concerned.”
He also expressed optimism of ample time for the APC to work their differences, adding “And with respect to our party, of course to God be the glory and by the design of the Electoral Act, we have ample time for housekeeping by ensuring that there are engagements.”
According to him, “If these engagements continue on a sincere and positive note, and I believe it is going to, I have no doubt in my mind that we shall resolve whatever difficulties that we are seeing right now.”
He noted that the national chairman’s visit “visit is part of the process; and the process has started. I am not in the position to promise anything or to solve anything.”
He added: “So, I can’t sit down here and tell you that because he has come and we have talked – problems over. I told you that it is a process and since we have initiated the process, wish us all.” (Sunday Independent)
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