As speculations mount over the future of embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki, plots by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to supplant the majority All Progressives Congress (APC) and take over leadership of the senate are intensifying.

The Nation had reported a few days ago the PDP was plotting a sensational take-over of the upper chamber of the National Assembly in the event that Saraki is consumed by his ongoing trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The party is mobilising its members in the Senate to ensure one of its own replaces Saraki if the presidency of the senate becomes vacant. With that as a goal, it is said to be seriously considering one of the trio of former Senate President David Mark, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, as possible candidates for the position. The Nation also learnt that the three senators are being supported by various groups within the party and the senate.

The opposition party’s calculation is that some APC senators, especially those in the pro-Saraki’s Likeminds group, may either defect to the PDP or work with the party to once again produce the president of the senate if Saraki is convicted by the CCT.

“The party hopes to win to its side some APC senators to vote for our candidate along with the PDP senators. This is based on our belief that many senators across party lines are unhappy with the ongoing trial of the Senate President and we all know where this is coming from,” a PDP senator told The Nation.

Reliable sources said a meeting of PDP senators and members of Saraki’s Likeminds has been schedule for tomorrow in Abuja to discuss recent developments within the upper chamber and decide how the pro-Saraki lawmakers will react.

“While I know we will be discussing how to stall any plan to remove Saraki from office, I am also aware that we will be talking about how to ensure that APC doesn’t take over the leadership of the senate even if Saraki has to go. Already we are positioning our men in readiness for another political battle on the floor of the senate. If Saraki is forced out, we will replace him with one of our own,” another source said.

The Nation learnt that those pushing the candidacy of Ekweremadu are of the opinion that being the current Deputy Senate President, it is only normal that he be supported by PDP senators and Saraki’s loyalists to emerge as the Senate President should the latter lose the battle to remain in office.

“Ekweremadu is the current Deputy Senate President. He has shown loyalty to his boss and he is a loyal party man too. Many of us are of the opinion that it is natural that he be supported by PDP senators and Saraki’s loyalists to emerge as the Senate President should the latter lose his position as a result of his ongoing trial.

“We have made this clear to the caucus and the party leadership and he is seriously being considered by all stakeholders as a good candidate for the job. Ekweremadu’s experience as a Deputy Senate President of many years is also a great advantage. He is well suited for the job and he is well loved by many of his colleagues,” our source said.

Another factor working in favour of Ekweremadu, The Nation learnt is the quest by the South East geo-political zone to be represented among the top political office holders in the land. “The fact that he is from the South East is another factor working for him. Many senators will reason with the need to give the zone some sense of representation in the current arrangement,” our source added.

For Akpabio, the possibility of replacing Saraki as the next Senate President is being pushed largely by those opposed to Ekweremadu’s emergence. He is also said to be enjoying the backing of former governors now in PDP and Likeminds senators.

“Akpabio is the choice of those opposed to Ekweremadu for one reason or the other. He is also the candidate of his fellow ex-governors who are in Saraki’s camp or in PDP senate caucus. Their desire to ensure Ekweremadu is stopped from becoming Senate President may split the camp of pro-Saraki lawmakers,” our source added.

Meanwhile, a third group is said to be rooting for the return of David Mark as the Senate President to forestall further friction between the pro-Ekweremadu and pro-Akpabio camps. According to reports, the former Senate President’s status as the unofficial leader of the party in the National Assembly largely informed the decision to draft him into the race.

“Senator Mark is the real leader of the PDP caucus in the National Assembly. So, many of us feel he is the best man to be returned to the position after Saraki. His choice will also end the dangerous rivalry between the other groups and ensure that we do not lose the contest should the need arise,” our source added.

lalasticlala

egift:
APC has the number to replace Saraki. All these WailingTANoids will not stop deluding themselves.

chukwudi44:
National politics is very much different from what obtains in Alausa. Better face the truth man, the pro-APC unity forum are minorities in the current Senate

jaybee3:
How can a first time senator (Akpabio) be considered for the senate president seat?

It ain't happening!

egift:


The volume of Fear that Tinubu strike you with is alarming. Seek help in time.

Abugab:
Saraki probably thought the PDP guys were with him, the positions are already shifting. Those feigned support by PDP was a bogus one and this move will make it clear.
Saraki's over-ambition is haunting, same way he betrayed PDP, so he has with APC.
No matter what PDP plots, they should forget the senate presidency.

ladyF:
Lol they can't even wait for the seat to be vacant. This is a sly move. They dont want to be follow him like housefly follows shiit to his trial again?

jaybee3:
How can a first time senator (Akpabio) be considered for the senate president seat?

It ain't happening!

chukwudi44:

We already saw how far Alausa skills could go on the national turf since last June and we were not impressed

Gbawe:


This is how you k now this is a 'super story' formed in the mind of the mischief-making article author determined to sell news or promote an angle he/she is paid to do. PDP ko ANPP ni. The APC know what they are are aiming for uncompromisingly, i.e ruthless and total control of the upper house, when they decided to deal with Saraki. I would like to see the disorganised PDP try to get in the way of this now that the APC is fully ready for them and will not be falling for any Saraki-style treachery or backstabbing.

egift:


PDP will not forget in a hurry the enormity of destruction Tinubu inflicted in them. If confused, ask FFK, Okupe, Abati and others.

Old man, I have a song for you...

E dey pain you, gogo
E dey pain you well-well ooo, gogo
Eeeeh gogooooo!

48noble:
Not for long mark returns

disloman:
All those 3 senators mentioned won't spend a week on that post before we will be removed.If PDP wanna stay relevant,they should not get involved cos now PDP don't have any credible person they can offer.PDP that I know won't do that cos they are greedy.Any miscalculation from PDP now,is bye bye to the already dead PDP.In all factors considered,APC still has the upper hand.

olatunji21:

Lolz... Mark returns anf he get sent packing from the Senate, Ekueremadu get Installed and Police come breathing down his neck for senate forgery and Akpabio, don't even mention...SaharaReporters would finish him off in less than two weeks.

bugzbunny:
This is possible only if like mind APc senators join Pdp...

chukwudi44:

Old man Gbawe,I am sure this was not what you were expecting!! Don't be suprised man, national politics is very much different from amala politics!!! The APC are official majority in the eighth Senate but in reality, there are now the minority.Which ever way the Saraki matter ends PDP would carry the day

Our source, an APC member and Senator from one of the North Central state, who preferred anonymity, in view of the critical role he played in Saraki’s emergence, told LEADERSHIP Sunday that, “I am personally not surprised at what is happening because I knew that Saraki will have problems but I was not expecting it soon. Secondly, I did not honestly look in the direction of any cases of alleged corruption when I was supporting him.

“My fear was how he will manage his colleagues because of his seeming and perceived arrogance, because I remember that the President did say he will work with anybody, provided the person is not corrupt. So I became involved in his project because I believed he could use his experience and complement the president, particularly in the fight against corruption. But seriously, I am ashamed of myself to see these charges, yes it is an allegation but you can see that they are solid and appear true as far as a layman can see. And then his efforts to stop that process were just admittance of guilt as far as I’m concerned.”

Continuing, the Senator said, “I don’t see myself being viewed on national television defending that kind of thing. What will my constituents think about me? I cannot do that so I believe he should just step aside and clear his name, which is the most honourable thing to do