A Non-Governmental Organisation, Advocates for Good Governance, has expressed displeasure over the uncomplimentary statement credited to Senator Ali Ndume on President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for adopting Senate Leader Ahmad Lawan as the Senate President of the 9th National Assembly.
According to the group, describing the party’s decision as ‘unconstitutional is a clear show of desperation by Mr Ndume, who is also in the quest for the office of the President of the Senate.
The Convener of the Group, Bode Gbadebo, added that Mr Ndume’s statement further affirmed his dire opposition against the harmonious relationship between the Executive and Legislative arms of Government as well as Party Supremacy.
“It was further gathered that his penchant for undemocratic and anti-party activities in the 8th Assembly led to his removal as the Leader of the Senate.
“Without mincing words, the security reports about Senator Ndume and his antecedents on the various alleged security-related crisis in no mean way, disqualified him to lead the Upper Chamber.
“Of course, all the Distinguished Senators-elect would not want their names to be mentioned or linked with anti-State crises that he is known for.
“Series of media reports in the public domain would further attest to his political activities and capabilities I’d allowed piloting the affairs of the Senate in the Ninth Assembly.
“While not trying to join issues with Senator Ndume, we urge all Democrats especially the Senators-elect irrespective of party affiliation to put the national interest first, by ensuring a smooth relationship between the two arms of government,” Mr Gbadebo added.
The convener, however, commended the leadership of the ruling party for being proactive in rallying support for the President, harping on the need to deepen the fight against corruption, provision of critical infrastructure and employment for Nigerians in the next dispensation.
while responding to questions on the Group’s support for Senator Ahmad Lawan, Leader of the Senate, Mr Gbadebo argued that the Senate Leader has over the past 20 years of his legislative career demonstrated crisis-free and quality leadership in various offices where he served.
“We believe in the progressive democracy and rapid development of our country, rather than being parochial.
“We detested what happened in the 8th Assembly that setback the 3-point agenda of the APC and having the likes of Distinguished Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan on the seat as the President of the Senate will pave way for the actualisation of the administration’s developmental policies and programmes.
“We have the dossiers of all those vying for the position of the Number 3 citizen and we call creditably state that Senator Lawan remains outstanding in all ramifications.
“I want to specifically underscore his virtues while serving as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts. Throughout the 8-year tenure, he lived above board.
“But the emerging issues from Senator Ndume’s camp vividly showed how gullible and selfish a man can be. Such man is not it by all standard for such exalted office,” Lorlor Maduaum Okafor, co-Convener of the group, noted.
