10th NASS: CSOs Deplore Plot To Impose Presiding Officers

The Civil Society Network for Good Governance (CSNGG), has deplored attempts by some individuals, using the apparatus of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to impose presiding officers on the incoming 10th National Assembly.

CSNGG, an umbrella body of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria said the impending imposition is not meant to serve the common good of Nigeria and its developing democracy.

The national president of the network, Adefila Kamal, who expressed these concerns in a statement issued yesterday, also congratulated President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima on their recent inauguration.

The APC had in consultation with Tinubu and other stakeholders, endorsed Godswill Akpabio for the position of Senate President and Barau Jibrin for deputy while it settled for Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu as speaker and deputy speaker of the House of Representatives respectively.

CSNGG also described it as a tacit move to reduce confidence of Nigerians and the international community in the administration of President Tinubu.

According to the president of the network; “The legislature is the most important institution essential to the functioning of representative democracy. The basic objective of the legislature is to hold the government accountable by protecting the interest of the citizenry.

“For a country to be qualified as a democratic nation, it must have a system that operates on a tripod: the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. Interestingly, what makes a democratic system tick and confirms its legitimacy is the existence of an independent legislature, i.e., the National Assembly, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives, in the case of Nigeria.

“The legislative arm of government, besides its lawmaking functions also serves as a checks and balances for the Executive arm of government. Before any bill may become law, it must be agreed to by both the House and the Senate, and receive the President’s assent. Should the President delay or refuse to assent (veto) the bill, the National Assembly may pass the law by two-thirds of both chambers and overrule the veto and the President’s consent will not be required. This constitutional provision makes the legislature a bigger partner in the business of democracy.

“As Nigeria progresses in leading other developing democracies of Africa, particularly in the West African sub-region on the path of democratic culture, it is key for political elites to ensure that the country makes a good example by upholding the tenets and principles of democratic governance.”

Kamal noted that the new president and other democratic forces stood firm in the face of an undemocratic imposition of presidential candidates on the APC in the build-up to the National Convention of the party in 2022.

 He said the bold step among others was responsible for the victory APC recorded at the 2023 general election and it further deepened the culture of democracy in Nigeria’s party politics.

The CSNGG president appealed to the president and the APC to allow the members-elects of 10th National Assembly to freely choose their leaders and ensure that the legislative arm of government operates freely to deliver the mandate of the people.

“CSNGG make bold to note that if the imposition had been allowed to stand, the APC might not have produced a generally acceptable presidential candidate in Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and in turns, the decision of a few persons opportune to walk in the corridors of power would have subdued the wish and aspirations of the over 200 million Nigerians including overwhelming supporters of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket.

“Also, the APC would have been denied the opportunity to continue leading the country on its partway to greater development as contained in the party’s manifesto and campaign promises.

“Like the proverbial cat with nine lives, the proponents of “candidate imposition” are back again, and this time masquerading to be serving the interest of the President, the same man who fought hard against imposition to emerge presidential candidate of the APC in 2022, what an irony.

“While CSNGG commends the doggedness and dexterity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other party bigwigs who, as true democrats, confronted the anti-democratic forces within the party, it is our charge that more work is the reward for good work.