By Starrys Obazei

Three human rights activists have condemned development in the National Assembly, NASS, where ‘independent’ candidates beat party nominees in the leadership elections for Senate president and Speaker, House of Reps.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the activists  –Declan Ihekhaire, Mohammed Abubakar and Vince Bakare of Civil Society Coalition for Good Governance, CSCGG, – said: “As long as Nigeria has not approved independent candidacy, elected politicians must toe party lines in their pursuits as elected officers of National and state assemblies.

“Though seeking independent ambition is constitutionally right, it is morally wrong, since there is no independent candidacy in Nigeria.”

They expressed support for  Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s insistence on adherence to party position in the election of the officers of NASS, as advancing both party and  national interests in smooth implementation of the desired change clamoured by All Progressives Congress, APC.

They regretted that the “crisis generated by the controversial election of Saraki and Dogara is partly responsible for the slow pace of affairs in the newly elected national government led by President Muhammed Buhari.”

Advising on the matter, the activists said: “Henceforth, APC must insist on subjection to party discipline on every national issue, and deviants should be adequately disciplined.”