by Dolapo Adelana

Some senators under the platform of the All Progressives Congress have expressed their displeasure with the party’s leadership.

Speaking with The Punch ahead of the meeting between the party’s senators and its National Working Committee on Tuesday, the lawmakers said the APC leadership had yet to interact with them since they were elected into office two years ago.

The APC caucus’ meeting with the NWC is set to discuss the infractions between the upper legislative chamber and the Presidency. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), senate caucus is also expected to discuss similar issues with its leaders.

It was gathered on Monday night that another issue on the agenda of the meetings was the rejection of the nomination of  the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, by the Senate.

A source in the Senate said senators under the APC have not been united on issues.

The source said, “This will be the first time the APC caucus will be meeting with the leadership of the party since the 8th Senate was inaugurated almost two years ago. That is why you see a conflict of interest on critical issues, which they should have discussed together, are treated in the Senate. Even within the caucus, the senators are not on the same page on certain issues.”

“The PDP caucus will also hold a similar meeting tomorrow (Tuesday). They are also most likely to discuss Magu’s issue and other matters in the Senate,” the source added.

 

A member of the APC caucus from the South-West, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “Since the beginning of this administration, our party has never held a meeting with the National Assembly caucus. We have always been on our own, doing our own thing. How then could we have known where the party stands on Magu? We did not know what the party wanted on Magu when we had to take the decision. Remember, when it comes to party structure, we are a critical block of the party. I feel ashamed for what happened.”

Another APC senator from the North-West said, “The truth is that since we assumed office, never has there been a day where they will even call us for a cup of coffee. Not a cup of coffee! Not even to call us and greet us. So, everything is on autopilot. This is the situation we are in now. Everybody is just on their own.”