The Senator-elect for Osun East Senatorial District of Osun state, Prince Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi on Friday called on the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to allow the elected lawmakers to choose their principal officers
Fadahunsi made this call in a press statement signed by his media assistant, Sam Segun-Progress which was made available to Tribune Online in Osogbo.
He contended that the executive must allow the principles of separation of powers takes its root and operate in our democratic system, adding that any interference in the affairs of the legislative arm by the executives and or political party would negate the course of politics and democratic tenets.
The statement reads “what is the business of the executive with the election of principal officers of the National Assembly?” Why should the election process of the National Assembly create the tension it is creating within the APC leadership? ”
“The way the party is going about it is exposing Sen. Lawan. The actions of the national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomole is like that of a headmaster giving instructions to his pupils.
While arguing that the party ought to be discreet with its lobby, not grandstanding about imposing an anointed candidate on the Senators, Fadahunsi said: “this is because the party is exposing Sen. Lawan to the danger of being viewed and labelled as a stooge of the executives.”
He, however, noted that “the executives should endeavour to deplore their energy and zeal on revamping and regenerating the economic fortunes of the country which has dwindled and require special attention rather than dissipating energy, time and resources on the issue of Principal Officers of the National Assembly.”
Fadahunsi added that “the majority of the elected Senators are matured people that has been trusted with leadership positions in the past. Some have been Governors of their various State before contesting and winning the Senate seat. Therefore, they know who has the best of what it takes to lead the red chamber successfully as well as the nation. And they are the representatives of their people as they are not representing parties but constituents”
“Once a Senator is elected, he/ she becomes a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not APC/PDP Senator. Therefore, the executive’s arm and the APC leadership should for the sake of our national interest outgrow various primordial and divisive interest in the legislative arm of government as it happens in other climes.”