By Chesa Chesa
The ‘anointed candidates’ of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and Benjamin Kalu, respectively, on Thursday met behind closed doors with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Abbas expressed optimism that he would be the next Speaker of the House of Representatives, while Kalu would be his deputy, come June 13, 2023 when the 10th National Assembly will be inaugurated.
He assured Nigerians that the 10th Assembly would not be a rubber stamp legislature, as nobody could manipulate the 360 members to work against he whole nation.
Abbas stressed that the independence of the legislature would not be compromised under their leadership.
He said that they were at the Presidential Villa to congratulate President Tinubu over his victory in the election and his inauguration on May 29.
“You may recall that just two or three days ago, Mr. President, the reign of power was handed over to him on May 29. And since then, we did not have any formal interactions.
”We felt that it is expedient as the candidates of the party for the number four and number six positions, there is a need for us to formally congratulate him on behalf of all members-elect of the 10th Assembly.
“But that’s just the reason why we’re here to basically congratulate Mr. President over his election and his inauguration as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Also about issues that have to do with the challenges that this country is facing, particularly the economic and social challenges and what he intends to do within the next few days, beginning with what has been done on the issue of fuel subsidy.
”Issues of other candidates did not form part of what we discussed with Mr. President this afternoon.
“Whoever is talking about rubber-stamp National Assembly does not know the workings of the National Assembly.
“Nobody, speaker or senate president, deputy speaker or deputy senate president, nobody can manipulate the 360 members of the House of Reps to make them do what is not in the best interest of the public.”
On his part, Benjamin Kalu said that “in addition to what the speakership candidate just highlighted, what we’re bringing on board is parliamentary sovereignty.
”Sovereignty that will ensure that the borders of the mandate of the various arms of government will be respected.
“But also recognizing that interdependence is key towards achieving any national objective.
”We’re going to ensure that though we are three arms of government, that we understand that we are one government.
”So the national objective of the executive, if it is what the people want, will remain the national objective of the legislature.
“We are bringing on board impartiality of this man that just spoke to you now holding the gavel that will ensure that sentiments and emotions will not control the direction of the gavel.”
According to him, the policies they will come out with will be a reflection of the needs of the people of Nigeria.
“We’re bringing on board institutional trust that will make Nigerians believe more in the institution of our democracy called the legislature which is the fulcrum of our democracy.
”Because, the more confidence they have in that institution, the more we will advance this democracy that people like Mr. President has fought for from the days of NADECO to sustain up to now.”
