The Minority Caucus in the Senate has defended the emergence of minority principal officers, addressing the uproar from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The members of the opposition parties explained the process by which they selected the minority principal officers in the Senate.
Senator Simon Nwadkwon, the minority leader, highlighted that the Senate standing rules empower the minority caucus to select their principal officers from among themselves. He referred to the Senate Standing Orders (2022) and specific rules that outline the positions of Minority Leader, Minority Whip, Deputy Minority Leader, and Deputy Minority Whip, which must be filled by senators nominated from the minority parties in the Senate.
Nwadkwon emphasized that the Senate President received the proposal from the minority caucus and publicly confirmed the nominees in accordance with the Senate Standing Orders. He further explained that the selection of principal officers in a legislative assembly is not a competitive election but a matter rooted in established legislative practices and procedures.
While acknowledging that contentious voices may arise in discussions of political leadership, especially among multiple political parties, Nwadkwon regarded this as a natural aspect of democracy. He stated that democracy thrives on healthy disagreements and that the selection process for principal officers contributes to the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria.
It was previously announced by Senate President Akpabio that Senator Nwadkwon would serve as the Minority Leader, Senator Olalere Oyewumi as Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Darlington Nwokocha as Minority Whip, and Senator Rufai Hanga as Deputy Minority Whip.
The Senate Minority Caucus is composed of members from various political parties, including the PDP, LP, SDP, NNPP, YPP, and APGA.
