Forum of Peoples Democratic Party ex-lawmakers in Kwara State has asked Nigerians to rally support for the presidential ambition of the former President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola given his sterling performance in the 8th Legislature and his exceptional performance as the governor of the state where he changed the face of governance for good in education, health, sports, social and welfare status.
The group at a press briefing in Ilorin addressed by Dr. Abraham Ashaolu, said it was absolutely sure that Dr. Bukola Saraki is the most appropriate person that Nigeria needs at this moment of national despair to galvanise the growth and development of the country.
Saraki, according to the former lawmakers “is a specimen of a detribilised Nigerian that is competent, conscious and someone that cannot be distracted”, adding that they had worked with him at one point or the other to testify that his work rate is high and has a deep-rooted perspective on issues.
Reeling out the many achievements of Saraki as a governor and Senate President, the group said his many firsts on all sectors speak volumes of his capability.
On his performance as 8th Senate President, the Forum said “Dr. Saraki's leadership of the 8th Senate has continued and will continue to define the epitome of the principle of separation of powers where the arms of government stand upright to uphold the tenets of the Constitution.
“There was no time that the National Assembly under his watch was relegated in the scheme of affairs.
“Their jurisdictional independence was followed and each arm played its role judiciously within the finest principle of governance.
“The number of bills that were decided upon is far and above that of any upper chamber since Nigeria became independent. The record is there till tomorrow and it speaks for itself.
“In order to sanitize the polity and keep Nigerians away from suspicion and Sometimes embarrassment abroad and keep up with international best practices, Dr. Saraki led the 8th Senate in the passage of the NFIU bill which effectively removed our country from being blacklisted as a promoter of financial crimes”
While observing that the North-Central geopolitical zone of the country had been the balancing factor in national affairs for peace and security by virtue of its multi-culture and had played significant role in whoever had won the presidency, the Forum advised the zone “it is time to put our best leg forward and take our rightful place in the political firmament our nation”, adding that it was gratifying that Saraki had received the endorsement of all the states in the zone.
The Forum however registered its displeasure on what it called the “shameful trend” in the Kwara State House of Assembly where the only opposition figure in the Assembly, Hon. Raheem Agboola, representing Ilorin South State constituency had remained on suspension. The lawmakers said by the act, the State Assembly had not only muzzled Agboola but had muffled the whole of his constituency, especially on the matter of the state budget when it was tabled before the house.
According to the group, “the decision to ask him to stay away from the hallowed chamber for speaking out in the interest of his Constituency is totally unlawful.
“Doing so without any tangible investigation as claimed, harassing him on the floor of the house, blocking him from gaining access to the hallowed chamber, and again having the foolhardiness to reprimand him afterward amount to super legislative rascality, abuse of the Constitution and the Rules of the House.
“The 9th members of the Kwara State House of Assembly need to cover their faces in shame for being the Governor's stooge and allow Hon. Raheem Jimoh Agboola performs the duty his people elected him for.
It reiterated that the House of Assembly was a public institution whose integrity and sacredness had been built and preserved through hard work, uncommon sacrifice, commitment and a high level of patriotism by all ex-lawmakers irrespective of the political party affiliations, advising that whatever could n negatively rub-off on the image of the house should be their common concern.
The Forum said its major concern as key stakeholders in the state "is to ensure peace and harmony in the state as we view the actions of the 9th Assembly to be antithetical to peace", as they had all, at various times contributed their quotas to the building of a good image for the House. The former legislators therefore caution the House to desist from any act capable of discrediting the the integrity of the House.
Comments powered by CComment