Three opposition political parties – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)- have cautioned their lawmakers-elect against accepting advances of the executive over the 10th National Assembly leadership tussle.
While agreeing that nothing is wrong in attending the meeting called by President Bola Tinubu, the parties told its members not to accept undue interference by the executive in matters concerning the legislature.
The NNPP spokesman, Agbo Major, said the opposition lawmakers-elect should operate without the interference of the executive.
Major said the lawmakers must always ensure that the principle of separation of power should be embraced by the three arms of government in every situation in the interest of the country.
The NNPP would not dictate to its members-elect, Major said, but warned that the NNPP might not be so nice to President Tinubu if the meeting was linked to the tussle for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly.
“In any case, if the meeting is connected to the choice of National Assembly leadership, then the party will take a different position as we believe in the independence of the legislative arm of government which ideally should operate without interference from the executive arm in conformity with the principles of separation of power.
“As party loyalists, our elected members will return to brief the party after which appropriate decisions would be taken in the interest of the suffering masses,” he added.
Similarly, the spokesperson of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, said his party would prioritise national interest over partisanship, adding that a request of such a meeting with its member-elect had yet to reach the party.
He said, “The PDP does not take dictates from another party. As far as the leadership of the 10th Assembly is concerned, the party will take a position that is in the interest of Nigeria, not the interest of another political party.
“Our members-elect in the National Assembly know this very well and from the retreat we had on Saturday, they know where the PDP stands on the matter. We are too big as a party to take side with another party against the Nigerian people. No, we are too big for that,” Ologunagba said.
For the LP, its National Chairman, Julius Abure, said, “Obviously, the executive cannot impose any candidate on the leadership of the National Assembly. It is for the legislators to decide who will be their leader. So, whoever is calling them, there is nothing wrong in attending.
“Their capacity to return and do what is right is what is key. They are adults and people representing their constituents who know their career is also at stake. Whoever is willing to destroy his career; that’s his business. Those who ride on the back of the people need to be very careful because four years is not forever.
“The step they take from the day they are sworn-in will determine whether they will go back or not. Therefore, it is in their collective interest to do the right thing and enthrone somebody that will work for the country, not necessarily an anointed candidate.
“It is not the meeting that matters but what they do on June 13 when they will be electing the leadership of the House.”
