TheCable

Abdul Ningi, a former deputy majority leader of the senate in the seventh session, says Abdulaziz Yari, senate president hopeful, has 67 senators-elect backing his bid. 

He, however, did not name the senators or display any evidence.

Yari, senator-elect for Zamfara west and a former governor, has insisted on running for office of senate president, even though the All Progressives Congress (APC) hasn’t nominated him.

The ruling party nominated Godswill Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta affairs, for the nation’s number three position.

The likes of Yari and Orji Kalu, chief whip of the senate, protested against the position of the party, arguing that adequate consultations were not carried out.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Ningi said senators-elect should be allowed to choose their leaders.

“Our latest count, we had 67 as of yesterday (Tuesday) night and more are coming by the grace of God,” he said.

“I’m not a member of the APC, I don’t know how the working committee of the APC works, but over 20 years we have seen consistent friction where people are imposed on the national assembly beginning with Enwerem and Chuba.

“Allow the senators, in my opinion, to choose whoever they want. The PDP had also made similar mistakes and I thought the APC should not have followed suit. Just as the party chooses its chairman, allow the senators to also choose their leader.”

The former senator, who is a member of Yari’s campaign, said the former Zamfara governor has the capacity to lead.

“Yes, Yari can lead the senate, and that is why we are following him, that is why we are backing him. We have also been leaders in the senate. We were not only in the senate, but we held principal positions,” he said.

“You need experienced hands like us to be able to guide you to achieve what is required. If we make a mistake in choosing our leader, we have every right to remove him.

“Yari’s campaign is not about money.”

Ningi added that Kalu; Osita Izunaso, an Imo senator-elect; and Sani Musa, senator representing Niger east; are on Yari’s side.