How Pro-Wike Senators installed Simon Mwadkon against Tambuwal
…..Bamidele, Umahi, Ndume others emerge principal officers
The influence of the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, was on Tuesday tested when Simon Mwadkon, of the Peoples Democratic Party representing Plateau North emerged Minority Leader in the senate.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, announced Mwadkon, against Aminu Tambuwal, former Governor of Sokoto State who was the preferred candidate of the PDP, making room for Plateau lawmaker as choice of Senate caucus to clinch the seat.
Our correspondent reports that 25 out of 36 PDP Senators backed Tambuwal for Minority Leadership, but that wasn’t enough as the remaining senators aligned with Mwadkon to defeat the former governor.
Tambuwal is said to be the main reason Wike lost at the PDP Presidential primary election to Atiku Abubakar, since then both friends have become enemies.
Other minority principal officers include Oyewumi Olalere, Senate Deputy minority leader; Darlington Nwokocha, Senate minority whip and Rufai Hanga, Senate Deputy minority whip.
Meanwhile, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele of the All Progressives Congress from Ekiti State also emerged as the majority leader of the Senate, with Senator Dave Umahi, former Ebonyi State Governor as Deputy majority leader of the senate.
Also, Senator Ali Ndume, of the APC Borno State emerged as the Chief Whip, while Senator Lola Ashiru, from Kwara State emerged as Deputy Whip of the Senate.
