Legislative Advocacy and Research Bureau, a group of legislative aides in the national assembly has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) against removing principles of equity and justice in the adoption of a candidate for the speakership of the 9th House of Representatives.
Salihu Abdullahi, who is one of the spokesman of the group, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday urged the National Working Committee, NEC, of the party to ensure that it adheres to article 20 (iv) of the party’s constitution in choosing leaders of the House.
The group also cautioned the party that imposition of candidate would raise divisions in the House and by extension the party.
The group noted that the endorsement of the current majority leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has already caused frictions and dissension amongst the lawmakers which had prompted others to join the foray.
The statement read in parts: “The Legislative Advocacy and Research Bureau strongly support constitutionalism and integration of diverse interest aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence among the executive, the legislature and the federating units “The prebendal idea of teleguiding an entire arm of government to elect its leadership without recourse to consensus building mechanisms many not bode well for the polity.
Meanwhile, the idea of party supremacy should be nurtured upon practical exigencies in such a way that individuals subscribing to it will feel a sense of belonging and commit to the party dictates.
“We consequently urge APC to adhere to the provision of article 20 (iv) which empowers the National Working Committee on approval of the national executive committee to make rules and regulations for nomination of candidates into political offices.
The article states thus: “All such rules and regulations shall take into consideration and uphold the principles of federal character, gender balance, geographic spread and rotation of offices”.
“To shed more light, article 20(iii) of the party’s constitution also emphasized that the above mentioned provision shall apply to Local Government councillors and chairman, House of Assembly, Federal House of Representatives, Senate and President.
“The endorsement of Hon. Femi Hakeem Gbajaabimila has caused more dissension than cohesion. The reasons are glaring.
“While the north central had put forward a strong argument with particular reference to zoning and voting strength, they have also play the sentiments of proper political power integration”.
(VANGAURD)