TheCable

Salihu Lukman, vice-chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), north-west, has alleged that some lawmakers aspiring for leadership positions in the national assembly are bribing party leaders.

The ruling party is yet to release its zoning formula for positions of presiding and principal officers in the house of representatives and senate.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Lukman said Abdullahi Adamu, APC national chairman, should stop the practice of lawmakers giving gifts to party leaders.

“As things are, it is so worrisome that people who are aspiring for positions in the leadership of the national assembly are reaching out to members of the NWC in an unethical way. I don’t think that is right,” he said.

“At least two senators, unfortunately from my zone, who are aspiring for the position of senate president have sent bags of rice and bags of sugar.

“Another member of the house of representatives, also from my zone, aspiring for the position of speaker of the house, I learnt has also sent bags of rice to individual members.

“I thought I should, through you, raise this alarm and call on all those aspiring for positions of leadership in the National Assembly to please respect the party and those of us in the NWC.

“I think it’s disrespectful to just think that we can be bribed. I think our leaders, notably the chairman and the national secretary, should rise to the occasion by stopping this unethical practice.

“Because if they don’t give the permission, I don’t see why bags of rice and bags of sugar will enter the secretariat and even get distributed.”