Lawan and Ndume Disagrees Few Days To Senate Inauguration over Voting Pattern
As the tussle for the National Assembly leadership heats up, the campaign organization of the Ahmed Lawan has had to respond to allegation of using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to harass Senators.
Senator Ahmed Lawan and Senator Ali Ndume are both front burners in the current race, as regards who becomes President of the Ninth senate, as the inauguration of the new red chambers draws nearer.
In this light, while Ndume’s camp is rooting for a secret ballot which is currently the position of the Senate’s Standing Rules, Lawan’s loyalists are pushing for an open ballot system.
According to a report filed by The Nation, reports that this allegation may not be unconnected with the invitation and interrogation of the clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, by the EFCC.
Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi who is the spokesperson of the campaign organization said they had no hand in the allegation that they were using the EFCC to intimidate lawmakers.
He said “This is news to me. I am just hearing that officials of the National Assembly were invited by the EFCC.
“But what I can tell is that we are not aware and we have no hand in what you are alleging that we are using EFCC to harass them to change the rules for us or to harass our colleagues.
“We have been working and our contact and mobilization committee has reached out to our colleagues.
“We have no reason to harass anyone or do anything to scuttle the inauguration.
We are solidly on ground and working round the clock to deliver our candidate on the day of inauguration. This is our preoccupation and whatever you have been told is not true.
“We are selling Lawan’s strong areas to our colleagues which integrity, intelligence and capability. We are also selling our agenda to our colleagues to buy into what we intend to do for for the 9th Senate.”
“I know that I am part of the outgoing Senate. To be frank, there were so many things we didn’t do right. So, our plan is to ensure that Lawan’s presidency improves on that. These are the issues.”
“With what we have done, on that day of inauguration, by the grace of God, we shall carry the day and Lawan will emerge as President of the 9th Senate. No cause for alarm my brother. We are marching forward.”
Meanwhile, there are indications that there are fears that the inauguration of the 9th Senate may be disrupted by hired thugs.
According to the report, this is due to the disagreement over the voting pattern to be adopted in the election of presiding officers. Incumbent Leader of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan and his predecessor, Mohammed Ali Ndume, are the top contenders for the Senate presidency.
Both camps are said to be flexing muscles and spoiling for war following a disagreement over the voting pattern to be adopted.
