Senators, Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu
Barely twenty four hours after the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, openly declared that the party will not mind if a member of another political party takes over from Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki, if he leaves office based on the asset declaration trial, there are indications that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may field Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu as a likely replacement if there is vacancy.
Daily Sun gathered that some members of the opposition party are thinking in that direction following the body language of the Unity Forum and the Like Minds camps in the Senate.
Members of both camps, who spoke with a correspondent yesterday evening, revealed that they are considering Ekweremadu as a possible replacement for the Senate president, based on his experience and the fact that he has been Saraki’s deputy since last June.
A senator from the South-East who is a member of the kitchen cabinet of the Senate president, told our correspondent that members of Like Minds group, who are predominantly PDP, were already mooting the idea of Ekweremadu succeeding Saraki.
He said since it was becoming glaring that Saraki was losing support, both from the party and the Senate, it was time to shop for a senator who will carry everyone along as his possible replacement.
He said though the idea of Ekweremadu succeeding Saraki has not formally been discussed in their regular meetings held at the Maitama residence of Saraki, lawmakers were already throwing their weight behind the Deputy Senate President.
The source said: “We hold meetings everyday and we strategize on the way forward. But many of us were shocked when we read yesterday (Saturday) that the APC was willing to concede the Senate presidency seat to us (PDP). We did not expect it to end like this.
“We have always stood by Saraki and we will stand by him till the end. But we also need to start putting the interest of our party (PDP) first. We have started talking to ourselves and we have started mounting pressure on Ekweremadu to gear up and be prepared to succeed Saraki. He has been the Deputy Senate President for three times now. PDP will take over and Ekweremadu may just be the man.”
In a dramatic twist, the Unity Forum has promised to work with Ekweremadu in the event that he emerges as Senate President.
Daily Sun gathered that some members of the opposition party are thinking in that direction following the body language of the Unity Forum and the Like Minds camps in the Senate.
Members of both camps, who spoke with a correspondent yesterday evening, revealed that they are considering Ekweremadu as a possible replacement for the Senate president, based on his experience and the fact that he has been Saraki’s deputy since last June.
A senator from the South-East who is a member of the kitchen cabinet of the Senate president, told our correspondent that members of Like Minds group, who are predominantly PDP, were already mooting the idea of Ekweremadu succeeding Saraki.
He said since it was becoming glaring that Saraki was losing support, both from the party and the Senate, it was time to shop for a senator who will carry everyone along as his possible replacement.
He said though the idea of Ekweremadu succeeding Saraki has not formally been discussed in their regular meetings held at the Maitama residence of Saraki, lawmakers were already throwing their weight behind the Deputy Senate President.
The source said: “We hold meetings everyday and we strategize on the way forward. But many of us were shocked when we read yesterday (Saturday) that the APC was willing to concede the Senate presidency seat to us (PDP). We did not expect it to end like this.
“We have always stood by Saraki and we will stand by him till the end. But we also need to start putting the interest of our party (PDP) first. We have started talking to ourselves and we have started mounting pressure on Ekweremadu to gear up and be prepared to succeed Saraki. He has been the Deputy Senate President for three times now. PDP will take over and Ekweremadu may just be the man.”
In a dramatic twist, the Unity Forum has promised to work with Ekweremadu in the event that he emerges as Senate President.