Sani Musa, a senator from the state of Niger in the North Central geopolitical zone, could be considered for the vacancy.

The recent meeting between President-elect Bola Tinubuand the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in Paris, France, may have contributed to the revision of the zoning arrangement of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), according to party sources.

Recall that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APChad announced its zoning formula, which favored Godswill Akpabio (South South) as Senate president and Tajudeen Abbas (North West) as House Speaker for the 10th National Assembly.

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The APC NWC also validated the nominations of Senator Barau Jubrin (North West) and Ben Kalu (South East) as deputy Senate president and deputy Speaker of the House, respectively.

As a result of Tinubu and Kwankwaso's meeting, the APC had previously chosen the North West for the position of vice-president of the Senate. However, there are rumors that the North Central may be considered for the position instead.

Leadership reported that Kwankwaso argued for the North Central to be considered for the position of vice-president of the Senate, following the uproar that followed the exclusion of the region from the party's zoning formula.

In addition, we are aware that Kwankwaso's gesture is intended to facilitate his access to the president-elect.

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A member-elect told Leadership that ;

“Our outing today at the APC headquarters was very encouraging and we are more determined to drive home our point that Abbass possesses the qualities to lead us.

“So, our plan now is to ensure we are well fortified in one accord to go into the chamber because we cannot say exactly what the chambers will dictate. But in case of any unexpected thing, we will nominate a southerner who is a strong supporter of Abbas to take the chair of the lower chamber.

“We are not in shortage of people so the opposition cannot take anything from us. We will definitely go to the South south and we have the likes of Professor Julius Ihonvbere who is well respected by all. We can immediately put him forward to balance the whole thing as a plan B.

“Remember that we did it in 2015. Majority of us from the north wanted Gbajabiamila against Dogara but when Saraki emerged as senate president, we had to change our game immediately in the chambers so that two persons of the same ethnic group would not preside over the National Assembly. That was how Dogara emerged by surprise.”

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With the possibility of Yari causing an upset in the Senate, a plan B is already in place to assure a southerner replaces the North West-born Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

Another source said ;

“If Yari wins, it would leave a serious issue – two Muslims leading NASS aside being two Northerners. So that informed the need for the group to prop a Plan B in case that happens. They will immediately and swiftly, switch to South for Speaker. It’s a case of finding regional and religious balance.”