Deji Elumoye writes that the ruling All Progressives Congress and the executive arm of government, should allow the contest for the 10th National Assembly leadership to be thrown open to all aspirants, devoid of hindrance or intimidation.
With barely five days to the election of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, the Federal Government in cognizance of the principle of separation of powers should allow members-elect of the incoming 10th National Assembly to choose their leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives without any form of intimidation.
The All Progressive Congress National Working Committee (NWC) had on May 8, 2023 released their list of consensus candidates for the four parliamentary slots.
The APC in the zoning plan endorsed Senator Godswill Akpabio from the South-South geo-political zone as the President of the 10th Senate while Senator Barau Jibrin from the North-West was picked as his Deputy.
For the House of Representatives, the ruling party endorsed Hon. Tajudeen Abass from the North-West as Speaker and Hon. Benjamin Kalu from the South-East as Deputy Speaker.
Since the announcement, controversies have trailed the ruling party’s choice, and have failed to subside, with the development generating serious tension among the senators-elect and house members-elect.
Apart from Akpabio from the South South geo-political zone, others who are also contesting the 10th Senate Presidency are Senators Abdulaziz Yari (North West), Orji Uzor Kalu (South East) and Osita Izunaso (South East).
Those who are bidding for the position of the Deputy Senate President are the APC anointed candidate, Barau Jibrin (North West) and Senator Sani Musa (North Central).
At the House, those bidding for the position of Speaker are APC’s consensus candidate Tajudeen Abbas, Yusuf Gagdi, Aliyu Betara and Aminu Jaji and incumbent Deputy Speaker Idris Wase.
Those contesting for Deputy Speaker position are APC’s consensus candidate Benjamin Kalu, Miriam Onuoha and Chinedu Ogah.
As the D-Day (June 13th) draws closer, there are rumours that the ruling party’s national leadership is plotting to use various means to intimate others aspirants, forcing them to jettison their ambition and support the anointed candidates in both Senate and House of Representatives.
Some Civil Society Organizations were reportedly, calling for probe of some of the leading contenders. These moves as believed in some quarters are aimed towards intimidating the aspirants and forcing them to jettison their ambitions.
On its part, a pro democracy group, Coalition for Parliamentary Democracy, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Menike Johnson, described zoning of presiding officers of the National Assembly positions as undemocratic.
The statement read, “Zoning and external endorsements are undemocratic and only promotes mediocrity, incompetence and breeds a corrupt and rubber stamp parliamentary leadership that cannot serve the interest of the Nigerians.
“CPD commended senators-elect for their support for Senator Abdul’aziz Yari who has exhibited the required capacity, passion and political will to run a legitimately elected Senate Presidency that will unite the nation, provide constructive partnership with the Executive in the overall interest of Nigerians.
“It also cautioned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against the imposition of a Senate President noting that such will only worsen the division in the party and deny it the ability to maintain a healthy relationship with its lawmakers.
“The Coalition for Parliamentary Democracy has been watching the contest for the Senate Presidency with keen interest.
“We have also noted the trajectory, demonstrated capacity and acceptability of the two major contestants in the race; Senator Abdul’aziz Yari and Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“CPD in tandem with other pro-democracy organizations insists that those interested in the office of the Senate President should rather marshal their agenda to Nigerians.
“Senators-elect should not rely on retrogressive and sectional arguments of zoning and external endorsements which is undemocratic, promotes mediocrity, incompetence and breeds a corrupt and rubber stamp parliamentary leadership that cannot serve the interest of the people”.
While the rumours of planned intimidation is rife, it is important that the Presidency shouldn’t interfere but to allow the contest for National Assembly leadership be thrown open to all members from across the country.
Also, former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, Aliyu Betara and other contestants should be allowed the right of free contest without hindrance.
While zoning is a credible criteria given the context of Nigeria’s diversity and the necessary requirement for inclusion and power-balancing, imposition of candidates robs the people of the right to freely choose. It does not augur well for democracy and separation of powers.
The hallmark of any democracy is that candidates should emerge from the process approved by the constitution of the party and the electoral law of our country. When imposition prevails, it will continue to scare credible people from coming into politics. This being the problem, there will be lack of quality participants in the political space.
Just like former President Muhammadu Buhari gave a voice of reason on the independence of the legislature shortly before bowing out of office, President Bola Tinubu and other leaders of the ruling party should refrain from meddling in the affairs of the legislature like Buhari and instead promote a culture of mutual respect and collaboration between the two arms of government to engender good governance for Nigerians.
The race should be thrown open for all the candidates who have expressed interest from the zones to test their strength and popularity in a free and fair contest and anything short of that would not augur well for the smooth take-off of the 10th National Assembly.
