Former Senate leader and contestant to the office of Senate president, Senator Ali Ndume, said on Monday that the institution of the Senate is drifting from what it should be in terms of independence and stabilising the polity while acting as checks and balances.
Ndume said this while speaking with newsmen in Lagos, lamenting that the 109-member parliament appeared to have been personalised or privatised, pointing out that he was in the race to bring about its independence, work with the Executive arm without compromise and make laws that would do the country good.
“The institution (Senate) is drifting from what it should be, the independence. The Senate is supposed to play its role by stabilising the polity, while also ensuring checks and balances. The institution is being personalised or privatised,” he lamented, declaring that he stood better chance to win the coveted seat to effect his 9-point Agenda.
According to him, part of his agenda is to restructure the office of the Senate President by making it one among equals, establish the framework for meaningful legislative intervention in the implementation of the All Progressives Congress’ Next Level Agenda and in furtherance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s initiatives specifically in areas of security, job creation and growth, among others.
The former Senate leader, while reacting to a question, insisted that he was sure of winning and believing in God, despite his party, APC’s pronouncement on his co-aspirant, Senator Ahmed Lawan.
It would be recalled that APC chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomhle and other leaders had endorsed Lawan as the party candidate for the office.
Ndume, while saying that he had met and sought the backing of President Buhari, the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the party itself, among others and had not received any contrary view, declared that he was seeking for votes and not endorsement as the voting for the office would be through secret balloting in accordance with the party’s constitution and Standing Rule of the Senate.
This was just as he informed that the party only made it known that it never endorsed Senator Lawan, but only recommended him.
“I have gone to the president to tell him my position. I have also gone to the Asiwaju Tinubu to tell him that am contesting the office of the Senate President, and seek his support. Up till now, I didn’t get contrary view since I got to them to tell them my view. The president has never interfered in anything.
“I have consulted the party and have not heard any contrary view. They said they only recommended Lawan.
“The election would be conducted according to the constitution of the country and the Senate’s Standing Rule which says the Senate shall elect its president.
“Thank God, the results I am getting from my colleagues is encouraging. I am in the race to win, not to lose. I am not looking to be senators president, but to be Senate President,” Senator Ndume said, while also affirming that he was not in the race for any form of negotiation.
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