By Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja
The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has stated that the National Assembly’s alleged antagonistic approach towards President Muhammadu Buhari was frustrating and derailing Nigeria’s democracy.
According to IPAC, which lamented what it considered the continued deteriorating relationship between the lawmakers and Buhari, alleged that the actions of the members of parliament had become a clog in the wheel of political and economic progress of the nation.
In a statement issued by the IPAC Chairman, Mohammad Nalado, the umbrella body for registered political parties therefore cautioned the federal lawmakers to subject themselves to party supremacy.
IPAC urged the members of the National Assembly to understand the ruling party’s manifesto and cooperate with the executive to actualise the agenda of alleviating the hardship facing Nigerians, rather than always being critical of the government’s every policy.
IPAC’s position was in reaction to the point of order raised by Senator Samuel Anyanwu (PDP, Imo East), in which he described the bailout fund granted to state governors as unconstitutional since it was not appropriated by the parliament, seeking the Senate to probe the President for the constitutional breach.Â
However, IPAC argued that the bailout policy was a timely intervention by the government in an emergency situation, which did not have to wait for National Assembly’s appropriation.
IPAC said at the time the decision was taken by the president, about 23 states owed civil servants salaries running into ten or fifteen months.
While pointing out that the lawmakers cannot even endure for two months if their salaries are not paid, the IPAC said the money was not for any federal government project but for the constituents who were facing excruciating hardship due to nonpayment of salaries by the governors.
