There is fresh power play in the All Progressive Congress, APC over the Speakership of the House of Representatives.
Since the emergence of Hon.Emeka Nwajiuba who now represents Okigwe South Federal Constituency, having ousted Hon.Chike Okafor through the courts, a rejig of positions in the National Assembly is imminent.
This newspaper was informed that the sack of Hon.Chike Okafor by the courts was a welcome development for anti Bola Tinubu forces in the party to pave way for a core Buhari loyalist like Nwajiuba to come on board in furtherance of plans to reduce Tinubu’s rampaging moves to install his loyalist, Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives.
A source revealed that Nwajiuba’s entrance into the House strengthens the game plan of anti Tinubu forces who are averse to the “zoning” of the Senate President and Speaker to core Tinubu’s allies.
APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole had penciled down Senator Ahmed Lawan and Hon.Femi Gbajabiamila for the Senate President and Speaker of House of Representatives.
Nwajiuba is said to have the backing of an emerging force in the party said to be led by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El Rufai who is alleged to be co ordinating core and die hard loyalists of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The El Rufai is said to have shown enormous detest to the overbearing influence of the former Lagos State Governor on the affairs of the party.
Gov El Rufai had last week advised Lagosians on how to end Godfatherism in Lagos State. Though he never mentioned the name of Tinubu, many believed he was referring to the former Lagos State Governor.
A source said there is now major push for the national leadership of the party to rejig the zoning of NASS positions to acomodate the South East for one of the leadership positions in the incoming National Assembly.
The source said “The tables are now turning. We see a re jig of leadership positions in the National Assembly by the party leadership. If that does not happen, there will be intense power play in the scramble for leadership positions in the House of Reps
“Most times the position of the party does not turn out to reflect the outcome of principal officers elected into the National Assembly.
” It happened in 2015 when the party and even the PDP led presidency led by Goodluck Jonathan zoned the Speakership to the South West.
” Eventually, Aminu Tambuwal from the North West who was the popular choice of members became the Speaker.
In 2015, when the APC came on board, similar scenario played out again.
” The South East must be represented in the incoming National Assembly. And there is need to avoid a situation where non Buhari conformist emerged as principal officers of the House of Reps
” There are two powerful groups in the party all angling for supremacy in the National Assembly. The El Rufai is so such a powerful force now and they are poised to take the lead.