By Abdulgafar Oladimeji
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, caucus in the Senate on Tuesday held a crucial meeting with the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party, with a resolve to work for the success of the government.
There has been dispute between the Presidency and Senate recently, with the lawmakers rejecting the nomination of the acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, on two occasion and suspending the screening of INEC’s resident electoral commissioners.
The Presidency also drew the ire of the senators when President Muhammadu Buhari absolved the secretary to the government of the federation, Babachir Lawal, of wrongdoing in mismanaging funds meant for victims of Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.
John Odigie-Oyegun, the national chairman of the party, led members of the NWC to the meeting which lasted for almost three hours while all members of the party’s caucus in the Senate were in attendance.
Mr Odigie-Oyegun and his deputy, Lawal Shuaibu, told the senators that though they acknowledged that the meeting was the first of its kind in the 22 months the party has taken control of government but that it was better late than never.
They canvassed the need for all segments of the party in the executive, legislature and party structure to work together in unity and co-operation.
The committee also urged the senators to feel free to express their minds and that the party was ready to come out strongly and ensure that all issues causing disunity at all levels of government are addressed.
The party also briefed the senators about the coming non-elective national convention and registration of members of the party.
Many of the Senators who spoke at the meeting made a frank assessment of the situation of the party and the relationship between the executive, legislature and party leadership but expressed their support for the peace initiative of the NWC.
The senators urged the party leadership to ensure that the process of engagement with members of the executive and legislature continues on a regular basis and that the party always make genuine intervention when issues come up.
