It’s Democracy in Action, APC must not Interfere in NASS —Bello Haliru Mohammed

Former Acting National Chairman of PDP, past Minister of Defence and Acting Chairman of PDP BoT, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed said, “ What happened at the National Assembly this Tuesday was a case of “Democracy in Action”. It confirmed that our democracy is working in top gear despite the attempt of some anti-democratic elements to subvert it in their attempt to impose their will on the members of the National Assembly. We, in the PDP, are very pleased that the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives were able to choose their leaders in a true democratic fashion according to the dictates of the constitution of Nigeria and the standing rules of the House and the Senate.

Dogara and Saraki

“We commend President Buhari for taking a stand of non-interference in line with the constitutional guarantee of separation of powers and independence of the legislature. We however warn the leadership of the ruling party to avoid the dangers inherent in their tendency to interfere in the affairs of the legislature in their attempt to dictate the pace and direction under the guise of “party supremacy”. They should take note that the emphasis in the 8th National Assembly is the word “National”.

“The ruling party is no more a stake holder than the PDP, other political parties and the masses of the constituents as represented by the Members and Senators. The PDP will always stand up to protect the freedom of the National Assembly to legislate in the overall national interest; free from interference and the dictatorial antics of the so called “leaders”.

Tunde Lakoju

Former member, House of Representatives, PDP leader and a federal Commissioner at the National Population Commission, NPC, Dr. Tunde Lakoju said, “Some APC leaders are busy building political and economic empires instead of building  a  political party  that was hurriedly put together. Strange bedfellows, like a bowl of salad without  cream. President Buhari is an ideological stranger in that contraption. Am scared for him and for Nigeria.

“For PDP, there is still serious work to do. By the time all the betrayals and impositions are carefully  analysed and sincerely dealt with, the party can rise again very rapidly too. PDP can  benefit immensely  from the developments in the National Assembly, but it must first purge itself.”

APC will crumb like pack of cards because it has no foundation —Cairo Ojuigboh

National Vice Chairman of PDP, South South geo- political zone, Dr. Cairo Ojuigboh said, “ PDP is restructuring and reinventing itself. The impediment binding proper political engineering within the PDP from playing normal politics for the good of Nigeria is being addressed. Nigerians should not expect much from APC because it is not a Party, but an almagamation of political insolvent elements devoid of a course other than to grab power,advance corruption and loot the treasury. Mark my words, APC will crumb like pack of cards because it has no foundation. Nigerians will be tired of this angry people contraption “APC” soon.”

Saraki, A round peg in a round hole – Ogbulafor

Former PDP National Chairman Prince Vincent Ogbulafor said, “I’m happy for Senator Bukola Saraki  as president of the Senate . A round peg in a round hole. A man with the requisite experience who will work harmoniously with all the elected leaders of the National Assembly  and the President  in the interest of Nigeria ‘ s nascent democracy . With Senator Saraki , there will be no victor no vanquished . God loves Nigeria .”

A combination of Saraki, Ekweremadu will stop Parochialism — Babatope

Member PDP BoT, National Executive Committee, NEC and former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope said, “What happened on the floor of the National Assembly was an act of God. God designed it to help Nigerians advance the cause of Democracy.  Politicians  in Nigeria will learn lessons from the event. The combination of Saraki of the APC and  Ike Ekweremadu of  PDP will help stop parochialism in politics.”

A lesson for APC: Those too clever sometimes  overreach themselves —Shuaib  Oyedokun

Alhaji Shuib Oyedokun who was Deputy National Chairman of PDP and he is a member of PDP NEC and BoT described what happened thus, “That was political maturity and dexterity  at play for those  who know  the game better. That was in the true spirit  of the presidential system that freely brings out the best admixture of diverse tendencies in the common interest of all, away from the ugly culture of imposition  and winner – takes all syndrome . This  provides a solid platform  for PDP’s revival. A lesson to all, a lesson for APC that those who are too clever sometimes  overreach themselves. Remember also  NEMESIS and the law  of karma. I congratulate  President Muhammadu Buhari as the greatest  beneficiary  of this divine  development as  this provides a cooperative Parliament. This is an element of  change.

National Assembly is maturing — Alkali

Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali who was the former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP,  served the immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan as the Special Adviser, Political Affairs. He said, “Let me start by congratulating Sen. Bukola Saraki, Sen Ike Ekweremadu, Hon Yakubu Dogara and Hon Yusuf Sulaimon Lasun for their well-deserved emergence as the new leaders of the National Assembly. Clearly the events of yesterday have shown that one of the pillars of democracy, the National Assembly is maturing and this is precisely what Nigeria and Nigerians need.”

No single individual or group of individuals can be above the Party to subvert the decision of the Party, Josephine Anenih

Iyom Josephine Anenih, Pioneer National Woman leader of PDP and  former Minister of Women Affairs “

“What happened at the National Assembly ( Tuesday) has been hailed by some people as a triumph of democracy, and by some as legislative independence. We now have a National Assembly whose members cannot defend the ideals of their respective parties that are of no national interest.

“For the opposition Party, it is good for them that they are in a strong position in the Senate. It will be easier to oppose from inside. They cannot be treated as under dogs. We will have a senate where the minority is indeed in charge. It is good for PDP, but very bad for APC. We just have to wait and see how it works out. I hope it works out good for Nigerians.

“The President has said he is prepared to work with which ever leadership that emerges in the National Assembly. I hope the leadership of the National Assembly will make it easy for the President to work with them in the best interest of the Nigerian masses who earnestly yearn for good governance.  I do not know what will happen when politicians succeed in destroying political parties that were supposed to be one of the institutions for maintaining and deepening democracy.”

Buhari’s seed of peace at NASS must be watered, Senator Owie

Former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie said, “ I congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari for non – interference in National Assembly( NASS) Affairs in the election of their officers as was the case during the years of political holocaust of 1999-2007, ending with the ill- fated third term. President Buhari has started well and the seed of peace which Buhari has sown must be watered by NASS members in particular and Nigerians in general.”

There are flaws in APC that  PDP can  take advantage, Chris Ekpenyong

Founding member of PDP and former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State,

Obong Chris Ekpenyong said, “I must comment that the development at the national assembly clearly shows political maturity on the part of our national assembly men and women. It is also a serious indication that PDP is still intact and not relegated.

The APC took PDP for granted because of its minority position, but the PDP, in turn, took advantage of APC’s divided house, dovetailed and made fortune out of it.

“The emergence of Senator Dr. Bukola Saraki as Senate President and other leaders of the national assembly through this democratic process is a healthy development for Nigeria.

By the time PDP puts their house together, with new vigour and new sense of direction, the party shall bounce back to take its rightful place. A close look reveals many lapses on the part of APC, which the PDP can always take advantage.