THE ninth National Assembly dominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is too soft on national issues and not putting up challenges to the presidency on wrong doings at the detriment of good democratic governance, says former Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain made this known yesterday while speaking at a Bauchi Central senatorial zone stakeholders meeting held at the Command Guest House, Bauchi.
He also lamented that the National Assembly under the leadership of Senator Ahmed Lawan is controlled by the presidency.
The former Deputy Senate Leader pointed out that, the APC led Federal Government had destabilized the National Assembly by making it so loyal to the President, noting that, the National Assembly must be independent for the best interest of Nigerians.
According to him, “This is the first time in the history of the National Assembly where lawmakers are not challenging the presidency despite the numerous challenges facing the country. I can’t be a Senator and be silent on national issues especially at this time when our country is in critical condition of hardship caused by the APC Government.”
He cited the example of what happened before the 2003 general elections when the then PDP dominated National Assembly commenced impeachment process against then President, Olusegun Obasanjo who was in the same PDP with them.
According to him, “President Olusegun Obasanjo was adjudged to have breached the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we did not hesitate to commence impeachment proceedings against him despite the fact that we belonged to the same political party”.
He opined that a robust, strong and active National Assembly is needed to always positively challenge the presidency for good governance in line with the Constitutional provision of check and balance among the three organs of democracy.
