*As Meeting For Resolving Crisis Ended In Chaos
A meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators called by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, earlier today for resolution of the crisis among them has proved to be counter productive.
Rather than agreeing on the issues at stake, the 59 APC Senators took to fighting, while a free for all almost ensued when anger rose among those in attendance.
It was apparent from the start of the meeting that the two factions of the APC Senators; the Like Minds and Unity Forum were not prepared to shift grounds.
While the Saraki led group insisted that the remaining offices in the Senate be shared according to zoning, the Unity Forum members felt that the APC should cart home the principal offices since the other group controls the Senate Presidency.
The Senate President had raised hope when he announced at the close of Tuesday’s plenary that the ruling party (APC) Senators would be holding a meeting at room 301 of the Senate.
However, the meeting which did not start on the scheduled ime of 2.00 pm however broke down mid-way when the two groups disagreed on the formula for sharing the available Senate Principal offices.
One of the Senators who attended the meeting Suleiman Kunkuyi, Kaduna north had told newsmen that the problem was sparked by attempts by the Saraki-led group to impose its candidates on the party.
Hunkuyi had stormed out when two Senators stood up to one another in a near fight, then invited newsmen to witness the ongoing drama.
Trouble started when Senator Tayo Alsoadura (APC Ondo Central), a member of the Like Minds complained against the choice of Senator Sola Adeyeye (APC Osun Central) as Chief Whip.
He had preferred that Senator Robert Boroffice (APC, Ondo North) be allowed to take the office on the ground that Boroffice is a ranking Senataor.
His position seemed to have angered a Unity Forum Senators, Kabiru Marafa (APC, Zamfara Central), as he violently confronted Alasoadura with a push which almost landed his him on the floor.
Senators had to rush in to prevent a straight fight between the two Senators as they managed to rescue the 65 year old Alasoadura from further assault.
In no time the meeting ended abruptly as Senators who had failed to completely agree went their separate ways.
Opposing Senators had accused the Saraki group of Zoning available leadership positions in the Senate to its favorites, while denying the Unity Forum group choice offices.
The Unity Forum senators, on the contrary, insisted that all vacant positions be filled by the national leadership of the party.
Meanwhile, the formula which angered the Unity Forum members centered on a zoning arrangement that seeks to give the position of Majority Leader to the North East; Deputy Majority Leader, North West; Chief Whip, South West; and Deputy Whip, South South, respectively.
Before the meeting took off, the Senate President had appealed to his colleagues to forget the past by rallying round his leadership of the Senate.
He said, “I have convened this meeting for obvious reason, among other things, the need to come together, unite with each other and embrace one another on the platform of love, brother lines, with the believe that we would all do the needful and put our differences behind us and forge ahead.
“As we go into this meeting, let us discuss, interact and bear our minds out with the believe that there are solutions to all issues . Every thought and ideas shall be welcomed and every opinions and suggestions will be considered because this is a family affair”.
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