APC won’t allow opposition dictate 9th NASS pace –Ifabiyi
By Jubril Bada
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The Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Mobilisation and Political Matters, Mr. Olatunji Ifabiyi has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC), would not allow the opposition to dictate the 9th National Assembly.
He explained that the party has learnt its lesson in the outgoing National Assembly in which opposition party dictated the pace of senate at the expense of the ruling party and Nigerians.
lfabiyi, who stated this in a telephone interview with The Hope yesterday said the leadership of the party has come on board calling to order APC lawmakers-elect at the national parliament to be on the side of the party to produce House of Representatives’ Speaker and Senate President that will collaborate with the executive for good governance.
“We have learnt a lot of lessons from the past on the issue of National Assembly as the opposition dictating the pace of senate at the expense of ruling party.
“If you observed, the leadership of the party has come on board calling to order APC lawmakers-elect at the National Assembly on the need for them to be on the side of the party to put in place Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President,” he explained
The Special Adviser expressed satisfaction in the neutrality being displayed by President Muhammadu Buhari in choosing the leadership of National Assembly, charging the party to show quality leadership and call to order APC lawmakers to choose among themselves leaders that will complement the President Buhari-led executive to build a prosperous nation.
His words: “l believe so much as the president is playing neutrality, the party must show good leadership by calling their members to order which it has been doing to choose Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives that will complement of President Buhari in building the nation.”
He noted that the President has a lot to do in this regard and advised the legislative arm to be a different entity for it to caution the executive not at the expense of Nigerians just as the 8th National Assembly is doing.
According to him, the present National Assembly leadership pursued its factional advancement and interest which are not good for the country.
He condemned such act as he noted that the national budget presented to National Assembly witnessed delayed at the detriment of Nigeria and Nigerians before they were passed into laws.
lfabiyi, therefore, advised APC national lawmakers who have indicated interest in the offices of House of Representatives’ Speaker and Senate President to shelf their personal interest and have the cumulative interest of the country in their minds.
He said: “They should look at it from the angle of one among equal. They should not toy the line of over ambition of 8th assembly leadership which got power at all cost and see the office of Senate President beyond their personal ego, interest and ambition.”
