22 APC govs: We’ll resolve NASS leadership crisis

The 22 governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have decided to seek means of resolving the leadership tussle in the National Assembly.
This is one of the decisions they took after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Wednesday.
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State told state House correspondents that the governors were worried by pockets of disagreement at the National Assembly.
He said the state chief executives had resolved to ensure that party supremacy was obeyed in the choice of principal officers of both chambers of the National Assembly.
He said the governors were elated by the steps already taken by Buhari to address myriads of problems confronting the nation but noted that in spite of that, the crisis in the Assembly was a distraction.
“We are meeting with the President because we are not happy with what is happening within our senators in the National Assembly.
“We thought we should rub minds with Mr President and to commend him on the steps taken so far to address the issue of the economy of the nation which is totally in shambles. The meeting we had with Mr President this morning is more reassuring that there is light in the tunnel. Despite this progress, we are worried by pockets of disagreement at the National Assembly.
“We resolved that we came from a party and our party’s views should be respected and we feel there is need to invite our senators more into the matter and see what we can do’’, Okorocha said.
According to him, the situation in the legislature should not be a winner takes it all. “We should carry everyone along and accommodate others as suggested by the party.’’
Also, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said: “Senators should adopt the position of the party because we all got elected on the platform of the party. We are not just a collection of individuals, we are a political party. And when the party has spoken, you must listen; otherwise, if it was a game of individuals like golf, then individuals can go their way.
“I think it is very clear at this point that the party has a responsibility to keep the system going. So, we are progressive governors, we’ve listened to the President, we’ve discussed extensively and we are clear that the party must be supported by the senators.
“This is the way it should be and we should start on working closely; we as governors listen to the party and we expect our senators to do same.’’
Oshiomhole said the governors were going to call the senators and tell them “this is it and explain our reasons to them.’’
He said the governors would not allow individual interests to override party supremacy.