The Nigeria Labour Congress has described the withdrawal of the security details attached to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, over his defection to the All Progressives Congress, as shameful.
The General- Secretary of the NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, also described the decision as unconstitutional in an electronic mail to our correspondent on Sunday.
The NLC leadership warned that nothing should happen to the Speaker over the withdrawal of the police details attached to his office as a result of political developments.
Ozo-Eson said that it was not stated in the constitution that the Speaker must be elected from the majority party in the House of Representatives.
He cited the example of Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke of the defunct Nigeria’s Peoples Party who was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Second Republic, when the disbanded National Party of Nigeria was the ruling party and the Unity Party of Nigeria was the main opposition in the country.
The NLC scribe also wondered why the security details of the governors of Borno and Ondo states, Ali Modu Sherriff and Olusegun Mimiko, respectively, were not withdrawn when they defected to the PDP.
“We, at the Nigeria Labour Congress, are appalled by the withdrawal of security details of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, ostensibly because he had defected to the All Progressives Congress.
“The act is shameful, distasteful, unconstitutional, and demonstrates our parochial sense of power and very little knowledge of history. No part of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria says the Speaker of the House of Representatives should come from the majority party. Section 50(1)(b) only says, “There shall be …a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves…
“In the Second Republic, the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, was elected from the ranks of the Nigeria Peoples Party, not just an opposition party but the third after the UPN and the NPN. We have other precedents across the world.
“We find it appropriate to cite the examples of Mimiko and Ali Modu-Sheriff, governor of Ondo State and former governor of Borno states respectively. Their security details were not withdrawn when they defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.
“We would like to be on record that we will not fold our hands while little minds threaten our hard-earned democracy. Nothing should happen to Tambuwal.”
The NLC demanded immediate restoration of the security details of Tambuwal, stressing that the issue was beyond the person of the Speaker but his office.
Ozo-Eson, who criticised the police and the security agencies involved in the saga, said that the action of the security agencies only brought to the fore the demand of the congress for strong institutions in the society.
“The police and other security agencies involved in this disgusting conduct should hold their heads in shame. Herein lies the essence of strong institutions, which we have always advocated.
“For those who take pleasure in converting to personal use, public/state institutions, they should remember that today’s men will soon become yesterday’s men. What goes around, comes around.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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I think it will be worthwhile if NLC concerns itself with Labour matters, other ancillary labour issues and try to be nonpartisan. We have bad roads, bad labour working conditions, bad Infractructures spread across the states, yet NLC has no eyes to see or a say to the effect. Is NLC opposition to the Ruling Party or meant to pisuit the welfare of workers?
ReplyDeleteThis is really a little minded person talking. So sorry for you.
DeleteNLC good points though but have you finished your own home work that you now want to help another person? MTN ( with many other multinational companies) are exploiting our workforce in the name of contract staff with no benefit or good pay and enslaving working terms and conditions. You are doing nothing about it. Clean the rafter from your eyes first so that you can see the straw in another’s eye.
ReplyDeleteThe above two comments shows how poorly educated Nigerians has become. What is unionism? Is about endorsing politicians as the current NANS is doing? NO. It is about defending the common man and the voiceless. That is why under NANS then, we together with NEDACO fought the military. Allowing our institutions to become instruments of political oppression will only lead us to the dark days. Any time I observe the bravery of our security agencies in stopping lawful protests by citizens I wonder if it is the same people that cannot cotail book haram, kidnapping, and armed robbery that confront us daily.
ReplyDeleteEducated man 11:22. am sure if given the oprtunity you will be defendant, judge and jury in your own case. Please can you explain what NLC means? and what are its function? matters like this can only be its concern when solidarity is solicited from the body. Alika
ReplyDeleteMy dear NLC functions do not stop at concerns of their members. Matters of national interest is within their jurisdiction. For instance, when Late Okadidigbo was indicted by the panel set up to investigate him by the senate and subsequently asked yo resign and he refused, the NLC waded in and adviced that he resigns. Also remember that when the police went to arrest the former Senate President (Late Chuba Okadigbo) at his APO Residence, NLC joined in condeming the action. Matters of this nature is a sensitive nature and can cripple the entire nation. As at this moment, Tambuwal is still the Speaker of Nigeria's lower chamber and that office has to be respected. If things are not going on well in the country, interest parties including the NLC must speak out. This way we are sure of preserving our democracy. Or do you want Burkinafaso's case to be our portion? No I dont want it either. All in all, his security detail has to be restored. Only the court can declare his seat as speaker vacant. Please try to be a little bit objective. NLC I hail you. Welldone.
DeleteIt's a very sorry situation for Nigerians. You people don't even have a voice to speak, you don't even have a brain to think with all you care about is criticism. We should not consider whether that is his duty or not but join hands to fight insensitive corruption in the country. It's very obvious from these statements that Nigerians are selfish and would hardly work together as a team to achieve one goal.
ReplyDelete