Mr Danjuma Goje’s decision  to withdraw from Senate presidency race to back his All Progressives Congress colleague, Mr Ahmed Lawan, has allegedly caused division among Peoples Democratic Party senators-elect.

Goje and Lawan were in the race alongside their APC colleague, Mr Ali Ndume, but  Goje decided to endorse Lawan after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday.

Investigations by our correspondents revealed that  majority of PDP lawmakers-elect in the Red Chamber had been pushing for Goje’s  adoption by PDP for the position before the former Gombe State governor announced his withdrawal.

Meanwhile, National Working Committee of PDP is expected to decide whether their 44 members-elect to the 9th  Senate should cast their votes for one candidate or vote according to their conscience at the end of their ongoing consultations with the lawmakers.

However, indications that there is already division among PDP caucus appeared on Friday when five senators elected on the party’s platform attended an event in Abuja where Lawan unfolded his  agenda.

PDP lawmakers in attendance, who also pledged their support for Lawan, were Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Messers Mathew Uroghide (Edo), and Clifford Odia also from Edo State.

Others were Messers Abba Moro (Benue), Gershom Bassey (Cross River), and Lawali Anka (Zamfara).

PDP Senator representing Delta North, Mr Peter Nwaoboshi, had earlier told  reporters that he would vote for Lawan in accordance with the directive of his constituents.

Two of PDP senators-elect told one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity that their decision to support Lawan was personal and in line with aspirations of their constituents.

They also confirmed that the party’s caucus was divided over the issue.

One of them said, “Our decision to support Lawan is in the overall interest of Nigerians. We need to move the country forward and it is better to elect a leader who has the backing of the party and the Presidency.

“Lawan has been able to convince us that the nation’s parliament will not be a rubber stamp under his leadership and we believe him. I think it is better to have a smooth relationship between the executive and the legislature in the best interest of our people.”

Moro said the support for Lawan was based on his (Moro’s) conviction that Lawan had the best agenda.

He admitted that the leadership of PDP had yet to take a decision on the matter.

He said, “We are still expecting a position from PDP. I am a senator-elect of PDP and whatever opinion I am expressing now as a member of the party is personal to me.

“I can assure you that PDP as an organised body will definitely make a statement and take a position on it.”

Asked if he would defy his party and support Lawan if PDP directs its 44 members to vote for another candidate, Moro said, “When we come to the river, we would cross the bridge.

“I am supporting Lawan because he has a very good resume. He is one of the longest serving legislators in this country and Leader of Senate. He is the best candidate for this job, for now.”

Further investigations revealed that other PDP senators already supporting Lawan would make their position known via the ballot on Tuesday, June 11.

 

Punch