The All Progressives Congress has debunked speculations that it has jettisoned the principle of zoning in determining the leadership of the National Assembly, saying the process of determining which zone produces the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives is still ongoing.
The party, however, assured it will not impose anybody for both positions.
The National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, stated this while clarifying the position of the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on the choice of the presiding officers for the National Assembly.
Mr. Oyegun explained that the party would merely guide the Senators and the House of Representatives on where to choose their leaders from, but would not interfere in the process of who becomes what.
The president-elect had on Wednesday said he did not have a preferred candidate for the position of Senate President as was being speculated, adding that he was ready to work with anybody the federal lawmakers decided to choose as their leader.
Mr. Buhari’s statement sparked speculation the party may have decided to discard zoning to allow the lawmakers choose their leaders from any part of the country.
Speaking in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday, the APC national chairman said “What General Muhammadu Buhari said does not contradict our position on the zoning of the offices.
“What is certain is that members of the Senate and the House of Representations are the only one who can choose their leaders. We are going to advise them on where they will choose their leaders for obvious reasons. Then it is for them to choose their leaders.
“The party cannot name people for them, but for the sake of balancing we will advise them on where they should choose their leaders”.
Reacting to the concern expressed by Kano State Governor and Senator-elect, Rabiu Kwankwanso, that APC may lose the leadership of the National Assembly to the Peoples Democratic Party if it keeps prolonging the issue of zoning, Mr. Oyegun said it would be impossible for PDP take over the legislative arm of government.
“APC will not allow it”, he assured.