By Sam Eyoboka

AS the leadership crisis rocking the National Assembly continues to heat up the polity, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins has advised the law makers and indeed the All Progress Congress to put their house in order in the interest of the nation.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara

The archbishop argued that the interest and well being of the entire nation should, as a matter of priority, take precedence over those of the party and its members, hence the continuous bickering in the Senate and House of Representatives should be resolved soonest to allow for smooth governance at the federal level.

According to him, so much time has already been wasted while the people watch with great concern and anxiety.

Adewale who gave this advice in a recent press release signed by the Director, Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Msgr Gabriel Osu, warned that failure of the ruling APC to put its house in order and resolve all contending issues amicably, would amount to anarchy and further polarize the fragile unity of the nation.

This infighting is inimical to the effort and determination of the present administration headed by President Muhammadu Buhari to engender the much vaunted positive change promised Nigerians during the party’s recent electoral campaigns, he contended.

“We are worried that the positive change in the fortunes of our people is being put at abeyance by this narrow self interest that is being exhibited in the National Assembly, in these past few weeks. I want to use this medium therefore to call on the leadership of APC and indeed all its members, particularly those in the National Assembly, to, as a matter of national interest, put its house in order and resolve the crisis that has been plaguing it in recent times, particularly over the leadership of the National Assembly.

“Nigerians voted APC at the last elections because they believe it has the capability to bring about the much needed positive change in all aspects of our lives. But the continuous bickering within the party’s fold is slowing down the business of serious governance, thereby sending negative signals to the masses of this great country over its readiness and ability to deliver on the change it promised the nation.

“I therefore urge the party chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the Senate president, Bukola Saraki and the entire leadership of the National Assembly to shed all selfish and parochial interests for the well being of the Nigerian masses. The warring parties must sheathe their swords now and allow peace to reign in the interest of the nation,” the cleric stated.

On the controversy surrounding the huge remuneration being offered public office holders, Archbishop Martins re-iterated that present realities necessitate all to make sacrifices; hence it was imperative for the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Planning Commission to embark on a drastic downward review of the salaries and allowances of all politicians.

While applauding President Buhari for efforts made so far in repositioning the country towards the part of economic prudence, the archbishop tasked all state governors to quickly follow suit by pruning down on the cost of governance in order to ensure prudent management of available resources for the benefit of the masses.