“It should be noted that leadership elections in the legislative arm of government across the globe are usually first held by the party caucus. As organised by the caucus of the APC in Nigeria, even in the United States of America and other developed democracies, the outcome of such political process is usually the product of countless political transactions between and among individual legislators and the party leadership.”
By Ali Ibrahim Abbas PhD
The contest for the Presidency of the 9th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has witnessed series of political machinations and gimmicks, entering its near final stage on Tuesday 11th May, 2019. The emergence of Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan as the most preferred candidate of APC as President of the Senate through consensus and endorsements of the party and President Muhammadu Buhari technically means he would most likely man the affairs of the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
If this goal is achieved on Tuesday and moving forward I am sure there will exist harmonious executive-legislative transactions thereby facilitating the implementation of the APC’s next level agenda for the betterment of Nigeria and its citizenry. As party men and women who benefited from its ticket, the Senators Elect must as a matter of loyalty abide by the party’s decision on the matter.
I also have no doubt in my mind that this time around the party’s supremacy and the nation’s interest must prevail above any other consideration. And, if any other contestant refuse to tore collective interests of the party and the nation citing flimsy excuses for such action, serious minded persons would know such persons or groups may not be actually working in the interest of the party or its national leadership.
It should be noted that leadership elections in the legislative arm of government across the globe are usually first held by the party caucus. As organised by the caucus of the APC in Nigeria, even in the United States of America and other developed democracies, the outcome of such political process is usually the product of countless political transactions between and among individual legislators and the party leadership.
In most cases, this process is achieved through series of accommodations and understandings. To claim this painstaking engagement resembles imposition of candidates on the National Assembly as some interested parties would want us to believe is just the highest disservice to our party and the nation in general. Dont forget this hallowed chamber of the Senate is a sophisticated and conscious political party arena that is made up of men and women of high level of political sagacity.
Moreover, Senator Lawan of Yobe North, who emerged the consensus candidate of the 9th Senate Presidency, is an excellent negotiator and veteran Nigerian legislator who transcends his way from the House of Representatives up to the ladder of Senate’s succession. By all standards, Senator Lawan in his own right is a legislative legend having achieved 20 years of unbroken chain of legislative experience.
Senator Lawan’s unmatched experience with any Senator or House of Representatives Elect in the 9th National Assembly cannot be learnt anywhere outside the hallowed chambers. More interestingly, his six straight election victories from 1999 to 2019 had also produced unwavering support and acceptance for Lawn in the progressive caucus. His wide endorsements by his distinguished colleagues across party lines further tested and cofirmed his national political clout.
This is not suprising to most of us that despite many years of holding sensitive offices and positions in both chambers among several other national assignments, Senator Lawan was never found wanting in any act of political, economic or moral wrongdoing. Therefore I have no doubt in my mind that Senator Lawan is the kind of leader that most Nigerians are currently yearning for to support President Buhari to take Nigerians and Nigeria to the next level of progress, unity and sustainable development.
With the recent withdrawal of Senator Mohammed Goje from the race of the Senate Presidency and his declared support for Senator Lawan, what is not certain is whether the Borno Senator Mohammed Ndume truly wanted to go through with the election at the floor of the Senate chambers without the supposed approval of the party that gave him the platform to emerge as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Overall, with all the progress made so far on this matter by the party and the deliberate denial by Senator Ndume to see reason for consolidation of the gains of Buhari’s administration through harmonious executive legislative relations, the question many Nigerians and Senators elect keep asking is can Ndume and his co-travellers be trusted once more? I am sure the APC must have learnt it bitter lesson the most difficult way that must no be repeated.
Beyond that, I must frankly say that Senator Ndume must immediately tore the party’s line. We could go on about just how embarrassing the entire situation will be if he fails to join the Lawan’s train in earnest. Impliedly, this may mean, by not towing the party lines, Ndume and his cohorts have publicly showed their opposition to the party and President Buhari who himeslf piloted the endorsement of Senator Lawan as the next President of the Senate.
Therefore, any further delay to work harmoniously with the party and its leadership, Ndume and his co-travellers are in danger of being sucked down the same abyss of betrayal that Saraki’s reputation went into. At the end of the day, history will remember Ndume’s embarrassment as an outright hostility on the party unless he and his colleagues break out and stand on their party before moving to the hallowed chamber of the Senate on Tuesday 11th May, 2019.
It is my candid opinion that the next level government of APC under the leadership of President Buhari, many Nigerians are hopeful will be dominated by people who have a clean slate as Buhari. This is more important as we are currently immersed in economic, political and social disasters that requires collaborative efforts. Indeed, this time morethan ever, Nigeria is crying out for transformative and collaborative leadership for the betterment of the lives of its citizenry.
In essence and fundamentally, this is a call for action for all credible and patriotic people now in the Senate and other stakeholders to make sacrifice and push for better Nigeria that we all are yearning for. It is not too late, but it is getting pretty close and we have to do it together irrespective of party affiliations. There is no doubt that people of Nigeria spoke very loud and clear as they not only voted for change in 2015 but also did same even more in 2019 for the next level.
Certainly, Nigerians want the national leadership of the country to do something including the national assembly; as they eagerly want something positive and progressive to happen in every arm of government. This is so pertinent as President Buhari cannot do it alone to turn around this country. For those who always think there is always a way in Nigeria it will not be always be business as usual. It’s time for progress as ordinary Nigerians are carefully watching.
At least Nigerians now have the clear picture of Senator Lawan’s Legislative Agenda for the 9th Senate and National Assembly. His message is simple and very clear “A National Assembly that Works for Nigeria”. This I honestly believe can only be achieved through harmonious executive-legislative relationships for the benefit and common good of all Nigerians which Senator Lawan is fully ready and prepared to provide.
Respectfully, Senator Ndume is also an experienced legislator, and I have all the respect for him as a politician. But, certainly this is not time for division neither in the party, National Assembly nor in the country. It must be restated here that most Nigerians who voted the Senators to represent them at the nation’s highest law making body just wanted the very best and experienced leader among their equals as President of the 9th Senate and National Assembly.
Indeed, it’s so clear that most Nigerians expect their senators to not only choose one among their equals but also the very best among their equals in the best interests of the party, the National Assembly and the republic. To put it perfectly, Senator Lawan has the needed experience, temperament, competence and capacity to make things work better in the nation’s body legislature. Now morethan ever It’s time for real legislative business to start for greater Nigeria.
Ali Ibrahim Abbas PhD is the Director Planning and Strategy of Yobe APC Campaign Organisation for the 2019 General Elections. Dr Abbas can be reached via [email protected]
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