The race for the position of Senate Presidency in the Ninth National Assembly assumed a new twist as another senator-elect has backed the candidacy of Ahmad Lawan for the top job.
Peter Nwaoboshi who declared his support for Lawan’s aspiration at a media briefing in his office on Friday, said his decision was informed by his party’s continued silence on the matter as the inauguration draws near.
Inauguration of the Ninth Senate and election of Presiding Officers is expected to hold on June 11.
The Delta North lawmaker explained that even if his party officially takes a position, he has the right to decide who to support.
He pointed that that his constituents, Anioma people of Delta State, prefer Lawan to other aspirants eyeing the seat.
BusinessDay reports that with this development, Nwaoboshi becomes the second PDP senator-elect to endorse Lawan, with Abba Moro (PDP, Benue) being the first.
Checks revealed that the PDP Senate Caucus is currently divided on the matter with the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, throwing his weight behind Lawan’s main challenger, Ali Ndume.
According to Nwaoboshi, Lawan is the most qualified legislator for the position, having been in the National Assembly as an elected federal lawmaker since 1999.
“All those contesting for the position have approached me for support and as a student of history, I have studied their backgrounds which clearly show that in terms of experience, Lawan is the one with the requisite legislative experience.
“I have found in him competence and the required intelligence legislatively and politically to steer the ship of leadership of the 9th Senate and by extension, that of the 9th National Assembly”, he said .
He added that opposition of PDP senators-elect to Lawan has dwindled following the recent pronouncement by the Deputy National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Lawal Shuaibu that leadership at both chambers cannot be imposed but through consensus across party lines.
He said the best the PDP leadership would do would is to give the elected members of the incoming Ninth Senate, the direction to follow but not to necessarily impose a candidate on them.
His words: “The PDP has not taken a decision as a political party as far as the Presiding Officers of the Ninth Senate is concerned. Our party has not also told us the candidate we should vote for.
“I know the PDP leaders will not say this is the candidate they want.They would only give us a guideline. I also have a right as the representative of my people to determine what is good for the Anioma people.
“I am a loyal PDP man. I have not left the PDP and it is not part of my agenda to do so. However, regarding the leadership of the Ninth Senate, I know my people would be happy with my choice of Lawan.
“My people know what they benefitted from the support that I gave the incumbent Senate President. I can make a choice on my people’s behalf because I have lived among them over the years”.
OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja
