by Kolapo Olapoju
The All Progressives Congress is facing what is perhaps its biggest challenge since emerging victorious in the recently concluded general elections.
The party is in a quagmire of sorts as it seeks to elect leaders for the upper and lower chambers of the National Assembly.
It is believed that the leadership of the APC have a silent agreement to zone the Senate Presidency to the North East and the Speaker-ship position to the South West.
In the lower chamber, the federal House of Representatives, two candidates are the leading contenders; Femi Gbajabiamila (South-West) and Yakubu Dogara (North-East).
Due to the zoning arrangement in the party, Gbajabiamila is widely touted as the likely candidate for the speakership of the 8th House of Representatives.
However, Dogara, the main challenger to Gbajabiamila, appears to not be entirely disposed to the zoning arrangement of the All Progressives Congress.
On Thursday, April 30, Dogara expressed his disapproval by categorically stating that the Senate and the House were two different chambers and that a decision taken in respect of one should not affect the other.
Dogara stated that the North-East is the poorest geo-political zone in the country and as such, requires the backing of other zones in the sharing of political offices.
While addressing a news conference, he said: “We represent the aspirations of a zone that is the poorest in the country. There are candidates from other zones that already hold leadership positions in the APC, yet they are running for the position of Speaker. Why are questions not being asked in their own case?”
While acknowledging the fact that the leaders of the APC must be having a tough time in taking a decision on the issue, he also advised the party to be guided aright so as not to hurt the feelings of members.
