By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has invited senators-elect for a meeting today (Thursday) to discuss issues of national interest, especially the election of presiding officers during the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly on June 13.
Tinubu’s letter of invitation was read yesterday by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, who presided over the plenary.
The letter explained that the meeting between the lawmakers and the President would take place at the State House Conference Centre, State House, Abuja, on Thursday, June 8th at 2pm.
The President had initially fixed separate meetings between the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the opposition lawmakers-elect for Sunday and Monday respectively.
The meetings were rescheduled because the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) complained that the leadership of its National Working Committee would not allow their members to attend the meeting.
The Senate President observed proceedings from the floor of the Chamber yesterday when he allowed his deputy, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, to preside over the plenary.
Lawan explained that he sat with his colleagues because he was trying to get used to being a floor member when the 10th Senate would be inaugurated.
*Yari, Kalu, Izunaso, Musa may perfect alliance Friday
Investigations have, however, revealed that the Senate Democratic Caucus, comprising of four aggrieved aspirants might announce their consensus candidates for the positions of Senate President and Deputy Senate President, on Friday (tomorrow).
The aspirants are Abdul’Aziz Yari (Zamfara-West); Orji Kalu, (Abia-North); Osita Izunaso, (Imo-West), and Sani Musa (Niger-East).
They were in an alliance against Senator Godswill Akpabio who has been anointed by the APC for the position of Senate President and Barau Jibrin as the deputy Senate President.
It was learnt that the SDC would agree on who would be Senate President and Deputy after their meeting on Friday while the remaining two would be given juicy committees.
The Chairman of the SDC, Senator Abdul Ningi, confirmed that the four aspirants were almost concluding discussions on the matter.
He said, “The discussion is still ongoing but we are very much together. We know our strategy and we are not to disclose it yet.”
Yari at a forum yesterday pledged to work with the administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the interest of the country if elected Senate President.
He said, “The Senate which I aspire to lead shall be completely democratic, open and serve only the interest of Nigerians.
“The Senate, under my leadership, will be firm, transparent, and purposeful and ensure a cordial working relationship with the President Bola Tinubu-led Executive to deliver his vision for a secure, united, and prosperous Nigeria.
“I want to assure you that the National Assembly which we seek to lead will be stable, proactive, listen to and pursue the genuine aspiration and yearnings of Nigerians,” he added.
