The Senate Majority Leader and the adopted candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Senate presidency in the 9th Senate, Ahmed Lawan, has begun corporative talks with some Peoples Democratic Party governors to enable him clinch the nation’s number three seat.
Lawan’s decision to reach out to the opposition is contrary to the stance of the ruling party’s that it would not need the PDP for its candidate to emerge winner in the race.
The APC has been divided over Lawan’s adoption, with Senators Ali Ndume (Borno) and Danjuma Goje (Gombe) insisting on contesting the post despite the APC’s position.
The National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, had shortly after the NWC’s adoption of Lawan, said the ruling party did not need the PDP lawmakers’ votes to clinch leadership seats in the National Assembly.
Noting that there will be no power sharing with the opposition parties, the APC said all committees in the Senate would be chaired by the APC senators.
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However, Lawan met with three PDP governors during the week to seek their support.
He reportedly met he met separately with Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as well as Imo State governor-elect Emeka Ihedioha in Abuja where he sought their support for his Senate presidency bid.
A source, who was part of his meeting with Tambuwal on Wednesday, claimed Lawan complained about Oshiomhole’s comments on the PDP, which he said had adversely affected his chances of winning the support of some returning PDP senators-elect.
It has not been confirmed whether Lawan made any commitment to a power-sharing deal with the PDP.
“It was just to reassure PDP stakeholders of his readiness to work and cooperate with them, nothing more,” the source said.
Spokesman for the Lawan-for-Senate President Campaign Organisation, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, confirmed to newsmen that the Senate Leader met with some governors.
Abdullahi, who is also the spokesperson for the Senate, described the meetings with the governors as “successful”.
He said, “We have spoken to many governors, including Kashim Shettima (of Borno State) when he visited Lawan’s campaign secretariat .
“Many of the governors we spoke to were pleased with our agenda for the 9th Senate and they all pledged their support.”
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