ABUJA – Real reason for the organization of the 2-day retreat for the incoming senators elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC may have been eclipsed by the heavy politicking for the offices of Senate Presidency and deputy senate presidency in the 8th National Assembly currently going on at Ibeto Hotel, venue of the retreat.

Hardly had the opening ceremony ended when the hall became almost empty with a group of the senators-elect known as Senate Unity Forum leaving the hall in their numbers.

Members of the forum included chief Banabas Gemade, Ahmed Lawan, George Akume amongst others.

The outcome of their departure from the hall was a brief press conference where they endorsed Lawan and Akume as their choices for senate president and deputy senate president respectively.

Reading the endorsement, Gemade who led the group said it was the collective resolve of the members of the group.

He however refused to disclose the numerical strength of the group.

He said: “We the senate unity forum comprising senators-elect from various states and various zones if Nigeria have net, held extensive discussions and resolved to support senator Ahmed Lawan as Senate President and Senator George Akume as the Deputy Senate President of the 8th Senate.

“Kindly take this to be our collective decision in the best interest of our party, APC and our dear nation, Nigeria”.

But the endorsement, Vanguard correspondent observed has rattled the likes of Senator Bukola Saraki and Dino Melaye who appeared to be in a different group working for the same objective.

The duo, amongst other senators-elect were seen having periodic tête-à-tête.

A source said they may also brief the press immediately after the retreat that was still ongoing as at the time of filing this report.

Details soon