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But in an effort to get the PDP Senators-elect to support the candidacy of Senator David Mark, who had earlier been endorsed by the PDP caucus, the Chairman of the party, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, urged the Senators to abide by the party’s decision.
Also, an attempt to alter the zoning of the House Speaker failed as the South-east caucus agreed not to present a candidate against Mrs. Patricia Etteh from the South-west, the zone that was earlier asked to fill the position. The South-east had felt short-changed by the zoning arrangement, arguing that they would be effectively left without any significant position in this government.
But it was gathered that the PDP leadership had insisted the zoning arrangement should stand, arguing that to change the present zoning, the national caucus of the party would have to meet again over the issue.
President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua is however said to be indifferent over the matter, saying he is ready to work with whoever emerges as Speaker.
It was learnt that the new thinking by the group of ex-governors was also partly informed by the need to ensure the balancing of zones and religions in appointment into top political offices.
The appointment of Alhaji Babagana Kingibe from the North-east as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) is said to have ruptured the initial zoning arrangement put in place by PDP.
President Yar’Adua administration is already being assailed with criticisms that the appointments made so far are lopsided in favour of the North.
On the election of Senate President, support base for Akume’s candidature had swelled following the complaints of some Senators that former president Olusegun Obasanjo and PDP leadership did not carry them along when they endorsed Senator David Mark for the plum job.
With this development, the election of senate president may be an all-Benue State affair as all other contestants except Akume had withdrawn from the race, leaving the two to slug it out.
Speaking on the senate presidency shortly after completing his documentations, the immediate past Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Ahmed Sani, said he would work with other “well-meaning” senators to halt alleged attempt to impose a Senate President on the Senate.
According to Sani, who is representing Zamfara North Senatorial zone, “You will see what will happen tomorrow. I am sure if my calculation is going to be true and the quality of senators I have seen in the National Assembly, no party, whether ANPP or the PDP will rule in the National Assembly.
“I am expecting that we will have quality leadership; somebody who is highly experienced in life; somebody who is vocal; somebody who knows what to do; somebody who cannot be manipulated because without the independence of the National Assembly, Judiciary and Executive, there is no true democracy.”
In another development, four Senators-elect addressed a press conference in Abuja saying Senator Mark was endorsed by the party leadership and not imposed on anybody.
Speaking at the conference, Senator Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West), said “there was no single opposition at the meeting where the decision was taken.”
According to him, “It was a misconception that Mark was imposed. Nobody opposed him when he was suggested by the party as a candidate that would work well in the estimation of the party. He is our candidate and nobody has for now been presented to us as an alternative candidate..”
Senator Grace Folashade Bent (Adamawa South), who is also rooting for Mark presidency of the Senate, said they were senators of the PDP and would be loyal to the position of the party in respect of the candidature of Mark.
She said: “Senator Mark is not an imposed candidate, having been considered alongside two other ranking Senators for the position.”
Four former state governors, except Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu) and Saminu Turaki (Jigawa) showed up for the documentation, which entailed the submission of assets and liabilities declaration certificates.
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