Even as the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) yesterday condemned alleged plots to impose some persons as leaders in both chambers of the 9th National Assembly, the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives has urged its members to vote for the candidate of their choice among the All Progressives Congress (APC) contenders for the position of House Speaker.
The PDP House caucus leader, Leo Ogor, in a statement, said henceforth, PDP lawmakers-elect were free to attend the meetings, campaigns, strategy sessions and other activities of any speakership aspirant of their preference, saying the party arrived at the decision for the benefit of the nation and in overall interest of Nigerian democracy.
Expressing concern over the conduct of some of its members in the pursuit of their narrow interests, the caucus explained that: “While the PDP House Caucus has taken the decision with clear focus on the national interest as well as the future strategic goals of our party, we are not unaware that a few may unfortunately feel inclined to go overboard, nibbling dangerously at carrots dangled before them without adequately heeding appropriate guidelines.”
The PDP announcement came after a coalition of opposition parties sounded the alarm that political
Godfathers are in overdrive in their efforts to hijack the ninth legislature through imposition of principal officers in both chambers, who are due to be elected next Tuesday June 11, when the national assembly is due to formally meet in in session.
CUPP spokesman, Ikenga Ugochinyere, disclosed the position of the coalition during a press briefing in Abuja, where he also expressed support for the use of secret ballot for the election of the officers.
According to him, the voting method is the only way to stop desperate godfathers from foisting their stooges on the legislature.
The coalition also condemned moves to produce leaders from particular sections of the country, to the detriment of other sections, warning that the development portends danger to national unity and integration. It noted that the north central, southeast and the south-south geo-political zones would be shortchanged if an arrangement by the ruling APC for the Assembly’s leadership works out.
“The president is from the north west, the vice president is from the south west, and particularly Bourdillon Street. The three candidates for the senate presidency are from the northeast. How then can the speaker be anointed from the same southwest, thereby telling the good people of the southeast and north central to go to blazes? There can be no easier way to hurt national unity and the indivisibility of the country than what the APC is promoting.” Bourdillon Street in Lagos houses the residence of influential APC National Leader Bola Tinubu.