Ahead of the proclamation of the National Assembly on June 13, the managing director of African Centre for Development Studies (ADSC) Victor Walsh Oluwafemi has advised President Bola Tinubu to tread cautiously over how the leadership of the both chambers emerge.
Oluwafemi, who made this disclosure in a chat with newsmen in Abuja yesterday said, the outcome of the various meetings with the key contestants seems not to be yielding expected positive results, adding that the president, who he said has not taken an hour break after assumption of office, should to tread softly.
“The drumbeats so far from the Senate is not looking too good because if it’s not adequately addressed we may have a heavily lopsided NASS leadership favoring one zone.
“Also, the leadership tussle at the House of Representatives will breed unwarranted dissents in the 10th House and against the Tinubu Administration, leading to avoidable delays in lawmaking processes and in policy implementation. “
Oluwafemi, who had been a consultant to NASS for almost two decades, pleaded with the president to look beyond the rhetoric and do the needful before his proclamation next week.
“So far, the idea of a consensus candidate is not flying in both apex legislative chambers and this is a signal that all may not be too well if adequate consultation is not made before proclamation.
“He has met with all the critical stakeholders as President-Elect and an inaugurated president and the coast is becoming more cloudy.
“If the outcome of the meetings with contestants is not yielding expected results what is he offering them to shelve their ambitions.
“They’re men who won elections and got elected, any negative sway may make them remain resolute.
“There’s urgent need for the coast to be clearer at least 72hours before his proclamation as this will restore total confidence in the lawmakers-elect as 24hours in politics could become a milestone at the end of the day.
“At this juncture, personal ambitions of aspirants for the leadership of the tenth Assemble should be trumped by inclusive governance and progressive principles so that the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu is entrenched even at National Assembly, knowing fully well the institution’s fundamental relevance to our national growth and development.”
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