Kayode Ojo, a governorship
aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election in Ekiti
state, says heckling of President Muhammadu Buhari during the budget
presentation is a signal that the leadership of both chambers have lost grip of
the national assembly.
Speaking with journalists in
Ado-Ekiti, capital of Ekiti, on Thursday, Ojo said such scenario was not
witnessed under former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan
despite the row between the executive and legislative arms of government.
Ojo said Nigerians were
disappointed that the federal lawmakers, who were to be role models to the
youth, “threw caution to the winds” because of partisan interest.
Ojo said the action is a strong
indication that there are some “hooligans” in the hallowed chambers who seek
positions for personal aggrandizement and not for the well-being of Nigerians.
“What we saw on Wednesday at the
hallowed chambers was a show of shame. Our leaders must know that Nigerians are
becoming more enlightened by the day and their democratic awareness has gone up
and putting up such ignominious conduct could dissuade our people from
participating in electoral system,” he said.
“Most worrisome was the fact that
Senator Saraki and Hon Dogara watched helplessly as the PDP lawmakers began
their interruption by singing against the president in a derisive manner before
the ruling APC lawmakers joined to cheer him, thereby making the place
uncontrollable.
“It is sad that rather than
raising the stake of our democratic credentials, we are descending to the abyss
through morbid politicking and hate speeches from our leaders. After 19 years
of unbroken democracy in Nigeria, we are having the most divided and
politicized National Assembly in Nigeria’s history under Senator Saraki and
Hon. Dogara and posterity shall judge them.
“By way of configuration of
National Assembly, it wasn’t that the federal lawmakers were not divided as we
are witnessing under the administrations of Obasanjo and Jonathan, but they did
it with caution, credibility and respect for national unity.
“Saraki must learn from how
Senator David Mark piloted the Senate for eight years. He allowed politics when
lawmakers were lobbying for passage of bills and taking of positions on issues
of interest to parties, but never allowed politicking when decisions were to be
taken on issue of national interest like budget presentation.
“No matter what anybody does on
the floor of the National Assembly, it has no pernicious effect on President
Buhari, because only the Nigerian electorate have the capacity to decide his
political fate.”
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