Senators-elect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are finding it difficult to decide the next line of action following the withdrawal of Senator Danjuma Goje from the Senate presidency race.
Goje had o Thursday announced his withdrawal to support a fellow member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ahmed Lawan, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday.
However, Goje is believed to enjoy the support of the majority of the PDP lawmakers-elect in the Senate, who have been pushing for his adoption by the opposition party.
While the party is yet to decide on the choice of candidate for its 44 members-elect at the 9th Senate, there are indications that there is already divided among the PDP caucus as five of them attended an event in Abuja where Lawan unfolded his agenda.
The PDP lawmakers in attendance, who also pledged their support for Lawan, were the Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Mathew Uroghide (Edo), Clifford Odia also from Edo State, Abba Moro (Benue), Gershom Bassey (Cross River) and Lawali Anka (Zamfara).
The PDP Senator representing Delta North, Peter Nwaoboshi, had earlier openly said he would vote for Lawan in accordance with the directive of his constituents.
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One of the PDP senators confided in The Punch that, “Our decision to support Lawan is in the overall interest of Nigerians. We need to move the country forward and it is better to elect a leader who has the backing of the party and the Presidency.
“Lawan has been able to convince us that the nation’s parliament will not be a rubber stamp under his leadership and we believe him. I think it is better to have a smooth relationship between the executive and the legislature in the best interest of our people.”
On his part, Moro said, “We are still expecting a position from the PDP. I am a senator-elect of the PDP and whatever opinion I am expressing now as a member of the party is personal to me.
“I can assure you that the PDP as an organised body will definitely make a statement and take a position on it.”
“I am supporting Lawan because he has a very good resume. He is one of the longest serving legislators in this country and the Leader of the Senate. He is the best candidate for this job, for now.”
Other PDP senators already supporting Lawan would make their position know via the ballot on Tuesday, June 11.
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