By Hammeed M Bello

Tambuwal’s emergence was announced yesterday at a press conference addressed by the caucus, even as the national headquarters of the ANPP in a statement declared his election as illegal because it ran contrary to the party’s constitution.
A letter from the head-quarters of the party, signed by Dr. Anietie Umoren, Special Assistant to the National Chairman, Chief Don Etiebet, said the impeachment of former leader, Hon. Ahmed Salik, can only take effect if it is endorsed by the party. A statement issued by the caucus yesterday announced names of other members of the new leadership. They include Victor Lar elected the deputy leader; Almajir Geidam, the new Whip and former Deputy Leader, Ubong Etiebet, who is returned as the new Deputy Whip.
The statement said “following the resignation of three of the principal officers of the ANPP caucus in the House of Representatives and the impeachment of Hon (Dr.) Ahmed Salik as leader of the caucus, elections were held” during which the elected officers emerged.
“They are now our leaders and we therefore appeal for your cooperation”, the statement said.
Daily Trust learnt that the election which held 2:00 a.m. Thursday, was trailed by disagreements from a group which felt its interest was not protected.
The North-West where the position of the leader was zoned to split into two factions, each with its preferred candidate. One axis includes members from Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara while the other axis includes members from Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states. While the Sokoto axis unanimously produced Hon Tambuwal as their candidate for the election, the Kano axis could not produce a unanimous candidate and four aspirants had to go for a primary. At the primary, Bashir Nadabo scored one vote, Datti Baba Ahmed scored four votes, Umar el-Yakub got nine votes while Nasir Dantiye got ten votes.
In his inaugural speech, the new leader-elect, Hon Tambuwal, said the new leadership is committed to giving the caucus a new vision and that they will do their best to give the caucus a new lease of life. “By the grace of God, we will not let this caucus down.”
The ANPP letter addressed to the former leader, Hon Salik and copied the speaker, Aminu Bello Masari, chairman, ANPP committee on repositioning and reinvigorating the party, Governor Sani Yarima of Zamfara state and chairman, committee on new policy objectives of ANPP, Governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim of Yobe State.
The statement said it received instructions from the national chairman, Chief Don Etebet, to communicate the party’s decision to the caucus.
“He has directed me to send you this letter, to convey through you to the members of the party caucus that traditionally, any changes or election into party positions ought to be in consultations with the leadership of the party.
“The constitution of the party in Article 17.3(iv) states that the legislative caucus should refer unresolved differences to the National Working Committee of the party for prompt arbitration.
“It is pertinent to let you know here that the National Caucus of the party only recently on the 7th of July, 2005, set up two committees, one on ways and means of repositioning and reinvigorating the party and the other on new policy objectives. These committees are yet to submit their reports.
“You are therefore to bring this to the notice and understanding of the members of your caucus immediately, that it will be inauspicious to effect any changes now in your caucus leadership.
“The national chairman therefore advices that any aggrieved member of the House should send their grievances to or meet with the two chairmen of the committees set up by the national caucus; namely H. E. Alhaji Ahmad Sani, chairman of the committee on Repositioning and Reinvigorating the party and H. E. Alhaji (Dr.) Bukar Abba Ibrahim, FNIQS, chairman of the Committee on New Policy Objectives for the party.”
“Any action otherwise would contravene our party’s constitution to which all your members are obligated, with dire consequences.
“Thank you and please convey the assurance of the national chairman’s readiness to listen to their grievances and solving them on his return,” the statement said.