Baring any last minute change, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is set to present Danjuma Goje of the All Progressives Congress, APC for Senate President, and incumbent Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekeweramadu for a return to office.
According to reports by The Nation, the PDP senators including Ekweremadu have started high powered meetings to scuttle the chances of the choice of the leadership of the APC, Ahmad Lawan for Senate President.
In a move reminiscent of how Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Ekweremadu emerged in 2015, the PDP is hoping to come as a united force and then break the ranks of the APC senators.
A reliable source, who spoke to The Nation in confidence, said: “The intrigues for the Office of the President of the Senate have heightened with the PDP seeking to retain its present stake in the upper chamber.
“Already, the party is plotting a joint ticket by Goje and Ekweremadu or Ndume/Adamu-Ekweremadu alliance. “We initially underrated the plot until Ekweremadu started meeting with APC Senators-elect under the guise of fighting for the upholding of the principle of separation of powers. “The opposition wants a repeat of 2015 power game in the Senate and it is determined to divide the APC.
“The reality is that PDP is desirous of a weighty slot in the Senate to be able to checkmate President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling APC.
“At the heart of it all also is the calculation for 2023. The opposition does not want to give APC a breathing space before the next elections.
“Also, the PDP seeks to accommodate the South-East in the National Assembly hierarchy since APC might not give the geopolitical zone a significant appointment.” Asked of the status of talks, another top source added: “Most PDP leaders prefer Goje-Ekweremadu ticket. Those loyal to Saraki do not really support Ndume and Adamu because of fear of vengeance if they emerge the Senate President.
“Do not forget that Saraki’s administration removed and suspended Ndume as Senate Leader. It is a wound that is yet to heal. To Saraki, the emergence of Ndume will be suicidal. “As for Adamu, he led the antagonistic Parliamentary Support Group (PSG) which coordinated many assaults on Saraki in the chamber. “Adamu only escaped suspension by a whisker because of his old age and long standing relationship with the late kingmaker of Kwara politics, Dr. Olusola Saraki. “The Goje-Ekweremadu option appears more realistic than others.
But Ndume and Adamu, who are still bitter with Buhari for not appreciating their loyalty, may play a spoiler’s game.” Upon enquiries, a PDP senator-elect simply said: “We had a caucus meeting last week and we resolved that all our senators-elect should stay together to study the situation until the time for the election of principal officers As at press time, the Ahmed Lawan camp, which got wind of the latest plot, was improving on its lobbying of PDP senators-elect.
A loyalist of Lawan said: “We are working round the clock to ensure that our candidate wins the leadership election in June. We have also gained more support from PDP camp too. “We are working hard to secure a comfortable figure for Lawan to emerge as Senate President. So far, there is no cause for alarm.”
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