By The Editor
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has turned his attention to a smooth take-off of the 10th National Assembly after strike threat by NLC over petrol subsidy removal is over.
The President is expected to issue a proclamation giving effect to the commencement of a new legislative cycle next week.
Tinubu will hold talks with All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) today on preparations for the election of presiding officers, which is the first activity after the inauguration.
Tomorrow, the President will meet with APC National Assembly members-elect.
Yesterday, the President took a concrete step to unite the APC National Assembly members-elect for the purpose of arriving at a joint decision on the zoning of the principal offices.
He met with contestants for the post of Speaker who are challenging the party’s choice, Tajudeen Abbas.
Also yesterday, governors of Osun, Oyo and Rivers joined their other 23 colleagues to drum support for the APC’s preferred candidates for Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin.
Former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, who said the Southsouth should produce the next Senate President, pointed out that anti-zoning campaigners in APC are laying a stumbling block for Tinubu.
Among the House of Representatives Speaker contenders at the meeting with President Tinubu, which started around 7 pm at the State House are Yusuf Gagdi (Pankshin/Kanke/Constituency); Sada Soli (Jibia /Kaita Constituency); Miriam Onuoha (Okigwe North Constituency); and Muktar Betara (Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwayar Kusar Constituency).
The President earlier met separately with Deputy Speaker Idris Wase.
The meeting was attended by the APC’s National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.
A Senator, who is attending the meeting with the President today, said the parley became necessary to put the house in order before the inauguration.
He said: “The President will be meeting with the APC senators-elect and House of Representatives members-elect tomorrow (today) to make a final appeal. APC governors and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) are expected at the meeting.”
The APC governors, who have repeatedly said they would support the party’s nominees for presiding officer positions are expected to join the president in persuading those challenging party’s position.
The intention is to arrive at a consensus to prevent election on the floor on inauguration day, it was learnt last night.
