Tussle for top committee intensifies in Senate

Prior to the 10th Senate’s special and standing committees being formed, senators have begun a vigorous lobby for the most interesting ones. Even Nevertheless, the minority caucus has decided to unite in its bid to win control of the lucrative committees.

The battle over who would lead the 63 standing committees has heated up, with loyalists, past governors, party affiliation, and close acquaintances influencing the makeup.

Though the battle over who would lead the 63 other committees and the nine special ones has taken place outside of the National Assembly, it has intensified with the return of the senators from their recess.

You may recall that on Tuesday, June 13, Senator Godswill Akpabio (APC, Zanfara West) won the presidency of the Senate by garnering 63 votes to defeat Senator Abdulaziz Yari (APC, Zamfara State), who received 46 votes.

For the head of committees like Appropriations, Services, Downstream Petroleum, Upstream Petroleum, Banking, Insurance, and other Financial Institutions, the lobby is more vigorous.

Army, Defense, Finance, Navy, Niger Delta Affairs, Customs, Excise and Tariff, Gas, Works, Foreign Affairs, Health, and Power are some additional departments. Additionally, all of the opposition parties have decided to work together to control the leadership of lucrative committees.