‘APC Leaders Must Disassociate Themselves from Legislators Business’

In order to avoid crisis in the All Progressives Congress (APC), the leaders of the party have been advised to stop intervening in the business of National Assembly members.

A National Assembly lawmaker, who gave this advice also said the business of electing the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives is vested in the hands of the lawmakers, saying that it is wrong for some leaders in the party to impose someone on the legislators.

According to the legislator who pleaded anonymity, “it is clearly stated in the constitution in Section 50 (1): “There shall be: (a) a President and a Deputy President of the Senate, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves; and (b) a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.”

For APC to enjoy the success it recorded in the just concluded general election, the lawmaker stated that the party leaders must leave aside personal interest and allow National Assembly members elect their leaders (Senate President and Speaker) rather than imposing people on them.

He also pleaded to members of APC to stop blackmailing each other because of their personal interest, saying: “We all fought for the success the party recorded at the general election and it is early for us allow crisis in the party.”

Reacting to what the Presidentelect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari said, that he would not work anyone that has a case to answer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the lawmaker said “some members in the party sponsored reports in the national newspapers to frustrate Senator Bukola Saraki’s Senate Presidency ambition but I think we should be matured than that.

“The accusation against Saraki was investigated and he was cleared. A letter signed by Mrs. O.O. Fatunde, Director, Public Prosecutor of the Federation, disclosed that after a thorough consideration of the investigation report and the relevant laws applicable thereto, the criminal allegations against Senator Bukola Saraki, are unfounded and manifestly unsupportable in law. This alone does not constitute any offence under any law because it is within the discretion of the bank to grant or refuse any such loan.”