News Editor
The attention of some critical stakeholders of the APC in Nasarawa state has been drawn to a press statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of our party and on behalf of the Nasarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in reaction to the recent inauguration and subsequent election of Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi as duly elected Speaker of the 7th Assembly by a simple majority votes of the democratically elected members of the 7th Assembly, an independent arm of government in the state.
While we wish to reiterate our commitment to the ideals of our great party the All Progressives Congress (APC), we are however worried over the recent decision of the leadership of the APC in the state to meddle into the affairs of the Legislative Arm in the state, an independent and critical arm of government whose composition cut across major political parties in the state with an open written threats on its members whom have contributed in no small measure towards the sustainability of the party in the state.
The position taken by the leadership of our great party and also dragging his Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, Executive Governor of Nasarawa State into this in house issue of their preferred candidate for speakership position of the State Assembly is one-sided, unpatriotic and capable of throwing the party into unnecessary crisis.
Our society is governed by laws and in a democratic setting such as ours, the majority will always have the day while the minority will always have their say. It may interest the general public and our party the All Progressives Congress (APC) to know that Rt. Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi was duly elected through a democratic process and with a simple majority votes by members cut across different political parties in the house as the usual tradition in the election of the speaker.
We wish to draw the attention of the Government of Nasarawa state led by his excellency, Governor Abdullahi A. Sule and the leadership of the APC in the state to the absolute independence of the state assembly as enshrined in the constitution of the federal republic and wish to further state that the discretionary powers of choosing the leadership of the state house of Assembly lies solely with the members of the state assembly and must be through a simple majority votes and not a decision of the Governor or the All Progressives Congress or any political party alike. This is a constitutional process and must be respected by all regardless.
An attempt to impose a preffered Speaker by the Governor, the APC or any individual no matter how highly placed on the 17th Assembly is tantamount to a rape on our democracy and its ideals, an act which should be condemned and frowned at by any true beneficiary of democracy and all well meaning citizens of Nasarawa state.
Assembly leadership crisis from within the party is not new to our polity. In 2015, President Buhari opted for Senator Ahmed Lawal as his preferred candidate for the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki’s mobising capacity across political parties saw his emergence as Senate President of the federal republic, yet Buhari as a true democrat accepted the will of God and decision of the majority senators and successfully governed this country.
Moreover, the Supreme Court has since settled the matter of Members of the Legislative Arm of Government holding either sitting, proceedings, Elections of its leadership or inauguration outside the Assembly Complex. This means that the legality of the activities of an Assembly rest squarely on the venue where such activities is carried out. Therefore, the legality of the activities of the Assembly does not rest on the Clerk or quorum. The foundation is venue, because you cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand. The illegality carried out the Balarabe group has failed legal test in all ramifications.
Both Speaker Ogazi and Balarabe are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state, why the preference of one over the other. A father who has shown preference for a particular child and outright disdain for the other is only brewing crisis in his home. The principles and ideals of our great party the All Progressives Congress (APC) is founded on the ideals of true democracy and anything short of this will be an affront on the collective sensibility of its members and will be met with stif resistance.
In the light of this development therefore, we call on his excellency, Governor Abdullahi A. Sule of Nasarawa State and the leadership of our party to accept the will of God and the decision of the majority members of the 7th Assembly in the election of Rt. Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi as speaker of the 7th Assembly for the progress and development of our dear state and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State.
Concerned APC Stakeholders In Nasarawa State.
