…debunks Claims of Accepting Minority Positions
By Udesinanna Stephen
Ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly today, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has distanced itself from claims that certain individuals have been designated for Minority leadership positions saying that it will align with opposition Parties to determine the emergence of the 10th House leadership.
This was made known in a press statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba and published on the Twitter handle of the Party, @OfficialPDPNigeria.
“The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to rumours and reports making the rounds and purporting that certain individuals have been designated for Minority leadership positions ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly slated for Tuesday, June 13, 2023.”
According to PDP, the claims do not represent the position of the Party and among the Party’s National Assembly members-elect.
Although, the National Assembly data shows the PDP is among the minority in the House.
In the Senate, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won 57 seats; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won 29 seats; Labour Party won six; New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) won two; Social Democratic Party (SDP) also won two; the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Young Peoples Party (YPP) won one each
In the House of Rep, APC won 262, PDP 102; LP 34; APGA four; African Democratic Congress (ADC), and SDP won two each while YPP won one.
Notwithstanding, PDP Publicity Secretary said, “For clarity, the PDP is on the same page with our lawmakers-elect in focusing, for now, on maximizing our numerical strength with other opposition Parties to determine the emergence of the Presiding Officers of the two chambers of the National Assembly on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 and will not allow any distractions at this moment.
“The interest of the PDP is to ensure that whoever emerges as the Speaker of the House of Representatives must be a person with long standing relevant managerial and legislative experience, leadership capacity and past legislative achievements as a member of the House of Representatives.
“At the right time, the PDP together with our members in the National Assembly will speak with one voice on any issues with regard to other leadership positions in the federal legislature.
“The PDP therefore urges Nigerians to disregard the said rumor and reports as our Party and members-elect at the moment have our eyes on the ball on the election of the Presiding Officers of the two chambers of the National Assembly in the general interest of the people of Nigeria.” Ologunagba posit.