By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
A former Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Sumaila Kawu, has appealed to the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, not to interfere with the process of electing the presiding officers of the nation’s apex legislative institution.
Kawu, who has now been elected into the 10th Senate on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), appealed while addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday.
He said his experiences in the last 20 years at the House of Representatives showed that doing so would lead to an executive-legislative crisis.
The lawmaker-elect, therefore, said Tinubu should steer clear of the selection process and allow members to elect their leaders according to the nation’s constitution.
He specifically urged the President to recognise the roles and responsibilities of the three arms of government in achieving an overall national interest.
He said, “The constitution is explicit about how the President and Deputy President of the Senate shall be elected. For instance, Chapter 2 of the 9th Standing Orders of the Senate 2022 (as amended) stipulates the procedures for the selection of Presiding Officers of the Senate.
“Similarly, Section 50(1)a of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) states that there shall be a President and Deputy President of the Senate, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.
“Section 50(1)b stipulates that, “A Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.
“It is therefore clear that the election of these Presiding Officers is purely an internal affair that concerns only members of the National Assembly and therefore, they should be allowed to decide who among them would occupy the positions to avoid repetition of the past mistakes – we may all recall the incidences of the 7th and 8th National Assembly.
“In my view, external interference in the election of the next Presiding Officers of the National Assembly would not only violate the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and Standing Orders of both the Senate and House of Representatives but would also cause serious misunderstandings between the Legislative and Executive
Arms of government.
“Available information reveals that some desperate politicians are planning to use undemocratic means to impose Lawmakers-elect of their choice to become Presiding Officers against the wishes of the majority.
“This move is undemocratic, unacceptable, and dangerous to our democracy as well as the nation as a whole.”
“I want to use this opportunity to draw the attention of Mr. President to this unfortunate and undemocratic move by some elements to temper with the laid down procedures.
“Similarly, I want to also call on other Stakeholders, Civil Society Organisations, and International Communities to stand firm in ensuring democratic consolidation in Nigeria.”
*CSO cautions Tinubu against foisting principal officers
Similarly, a civil society group, the Coalition for Good Governance Network (C2G-Network), has also advised Tinubu against foisting leaders on the National Assembly.
The Convener of the group, Mr. Remi Adebayo, also stated this while addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday.
Adebayo said, “The President must resist antics and desperation from interested parties or so-called anointed candidates to subsequently heat the polity by dancing to the tunes of people who want their opponents arrested, harassed or prevented from accessing the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly on Tuesday, June 13.
“The C2G-Network strongly align with lawful and democratic processes for the next presiding officers of the National Assembly to be elected, without resorting to intimidation or harassment of those seeking leadership positions or their supporters based on their democratic alignments or choices.”
*Yari’s group says Buhari didn’t shun ex-Zamfara gov in Daura
Meanwhile, the Campaign Office of Senator-Elect, Abdul’Aziz Yari, in a statement on Monday, said Presidency ambition of the former governor of Zamfara State received a boost on Sunday when he visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State.
The statement also claimed that many senators-elect from across the political parties had registered support for Yari, “swelling towards a majority call for him as the next Senate President.”
It added that no fewer than 22 Senators-elect from various political parties and spreading across the six geopolitical zones accompanied Yari to Daura to pay a congratulatory visit to the former President on his successful end of tenure.
Part of the statement read, “Yari was well received by a very jovial former President Buhari and that at no point did he make any comment in disapproval of his guests in any manner.
“Yari and his team told the former President they were in Daura to congratulate the former President and pray for his healthy life out of office.
“They also assured him that they were working towards a cordial legislative/executive relationship under the new administration adding that they were not in confrontation with the executive but committed to strengthening the legislative arm of government
“Senator Yari came with over 20 Senators-elect to visit President Buhari, to congratulate him for his successful tenure in office and pray for his good health.
“That gesture by Senator Yari demonstrates humility, reverence, and love towards the former President, it shows his respect for elders and that is a mark of true statesmanship and leadership.
“The team was well-received by a very jovial former President Buhari. The meeting was very lively and the team assured the former President that they were not in confrontation but committed to strengthening the legislative arm of government.
“At no point did President Buhari make any comment in disapproval of his guests. Recall that during his tenure as President, he allowed for the independence of the legislative arm and such a legacy must be sustained in the current dispensation. That is the essence of democracy” the source said.
“He also noted that the former President thanked the group for the visit and urged them to work with the Executive for the good of all Nigerians. He also joked that they should tell Nigerians that he is in good health.”
