Tinubu, APC, don't play God

Nigeria Needs Positive Change Group (NNPCG) has watched with keen interest the unfolding event since emergence of the President of the Senate for the 8th National Assembly, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (CON) and Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara.

?Their emergence indeed symbolises the positive change mantra of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which Nigerians had freely embraced and voted with the believe that every institution of our democratic structures would enjoyed its independence and operate within the framework of the law for the progress and development of our dear nation.

However, the NNPCG, was taken aback when some group within the leadership of APC had gone to town threatening war and brimstone over the decision of elected representatives of over 170 million Nigeria people's decision to freely elect among themselves those they believe can preside over their affairs and superintend over the activities in the hallowed chambers based on the mandate given to them by Nigerians as elected representatives and in accordance with the law of the land.

?The outburst of few APC leaders in the last few days leave much to be desire and one wonders if the so-called leaders had forgotten that any resolution and decisions taken at the Hallow Chambers of the National Assembly was the decision of Nigerians, which is superior to that of few unpatriotic elements, who believe that the Nigeria nation must be their personal and family estate.

The beauty of democracy is the freedom of choice and by extension, allowing each institution that make up the democratic structures enjoy their independence to operate and take decisions considered to be in the best interest of the people, which would in turn enhance the lots of the people without compromising the people's yearnings and aspiration under whatever guise.

Perhaps these groups of leaders in the ruling party has forgotten that the National Assembly is not part of their party property where they held sway and which can be manoeuvred for their personal aggrandisement.

The assembly belongs to Nigerians, irrespective of their political persuasion, thus the activities there-in is not solely of the ruling party or any political party, no matter how vibrant and robust the programme of that party. Rather it's an assemblage of various politicians elected on the platform of different political parties expected to form an alliance, work together and give to Nigerians progressive legislation that would promote unity, progress and development of our dear country.

The election conducted by the elected members of Senate and House of Representatives that produced the new leadership has only confirmed the saying of a school of thought that politicking and elections is not war of carrying arms and ammunition, rather it's a war of intellectual capability where negotiation and bargaining are the main weapon. It's also clear that every political party represented at the National Assembly has equal stake and right without any one being superior to the other. Superiority over the other can only be proved by the level of issues and ideas you put on the table for debate, which must also be for the betterment of the people.

It's sad to note and beyond imagination that Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu could publicly declared that since his anointed candidate was not elected, he would not recognised the leadership of the National Assembly because he is the leader of APC, as if those elected are not bona-fide and card carrying members of APC.

Let this tin-god of Bourdillon stop this bragging, arrogance and his empty threat, the Nigeria nation has spoken, let him and his agent of doom continue to leak their wounds, the Nigerian People has spoken through their representatives and that is final by the Grace of God.

The NNPCG aligned in totality with the position of President Muhammadu Buhari for his leadership acumen displayed since assumption of office, especially as it affects the leadership of both Chambers of the National Assembly. His readiness to work with whoever was elected and not to interfere in the process was legendary and indeed we did not expect less from a man whose integrity was the main credential he flaunted to seek for mandate from his people.

The NNPCG wish to sound a note of warning to all those agent of destabilisation to accept the will of God in the emergence of these men of destiny and stop this needless distraction. Tinubu and his uncultured wife should stop their brigandage and allow peace to reign.

The group, from a credible source, learnt that Tinubu and his co-travellers were hell bent to scuttle the process that produced the present National Assembly leadership because of the alleged understanding between him and Ahmed Lawan that Remi Tinubu would be the Official Senate President, (to operate from behind the scene) while Lawan would be the ceremonial Senate President.

Also, it was gathered that a list of Senate Committee of some choice sectors were compiled, endorsed and agreed upon between the duo as the working paper for Lawan to allegedly take care of Asiwaju and his agents, hence it must be Lawan or nobody else.

All the actions and public pronouncement of Tinubu as well as that of his cronies since the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara has not only confirmed the claim of the alleged plot to hijack the National Assembly but laid credence to the popular believe that the intention was to appropriate the institution as his personal estate under the watch of his wife., Senator Remi Tinubu.

As a group of positive Change, we are yet to believe the story, even though it was not surprising that the supposed National Leader of APC was furious and ready to dare God because what is undoubtful was that such has always be the trade in stock of the self acclaimed strategist. Nigerians too are not caught unaware, we are all living witnesses to the disagreement between Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, and this leader, the rest is now history.

We urged Mr President to call to Tinubu to order and all the agents of retrogression in the APC to allow peace to reign in the land and at the National Assembly. And to allow the elected representatives perform their responsibility at the National Assembly, otherwise we may be compelled to mobilise Nigerians against these selfish leaders in the ruling party.

In the same vein, we wish to remind the APC leadership of the promise made to Nigerians to the effect that positive changes would be brought into ways and manners things are done in our country, including governance. If the party was sincere in the promises made, why then must the National Assembly be denied of her Independence in the choice of her leaders.

We urged all other honest leaders of APC to as matter of urgency prevail on all those threatening to bring down our democratic institutions to have a rethink. The party leadership should start in earnest on the fulfilment of all the electioneering campaign promises to the people, rather than wasting precious time on an issue, which its process had been adjudged credible, transparent and already concluded.

*Adebimpe is the National Coordinator, Nigeria Needs Positive Change Group (NNPCG).

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