Breaking: PDP Backs Ndume, Bago For 9th NASS Leadership

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party, has backed Ali Ndume and Umar Bago for the position of the Senate President of the 9th Nigerian Senate and Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives.

Naija News reports that the 9th National Assembly will be inaugurated today, Tuesday, June 11, with Ahmed Lawan representing Yobe North Constituency and Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, both on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s ruling party, seeking to be the President of the 9th Senate.

Just like the Senate Presidency race, Femi Gbajabiamila and Umar Bago are in a hot chase for the position of the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives.

The PDP directed its members in the 9th National Assembly to support Ndume and Bago for the leadership of the Assembly when the inauguration takes centre stage later today.

In a statement issued on Monday night by its National Secretary, Sen. Umaru Ibrahim Tsauri, PDP said the decision is in the best interest of the nation.

The statement reads: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after very extensive consultations with critical stakeholders resolves to support Senator Ali Ndume and Hon. Umar Mohammed Bago for Senate President and Speaker of House of Representatives respectively, ahead of National Assembly inauguration on Tuesday.

“The final resolution on Senator Ndume and Hon. Bago was reached at the end of a decisive meeting of members of the National Working Committee, party leaders, state governors as well as senators and members-elect on the platform of the PDP.

“This decision is in the best interest of the nation, in line with our party’s determination to deepen democracy, ensure a strong and independent legislature, strict compliance to the principle of separation of powers as well as constitutional checks and balances in the polity.

“All senators and members-elect on the platform of the PDP are to be guided accordingly,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Naija News reports that the development means Ndume and Bago would be working against their party (APC) preferred candidates; Lawan and  Gbajabiamiala in National Assembly leadership race.