Politics
Lawmaker Poised To Stop Carpet –Crossing
The law maker representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Dr. Eddie Mbadiwe, has indicated his readiness to move a motion to stop carpet-crossing from one party to another by Nigerian legislators in order to stabilise the polity.
Making his feelings known while briefing journalists at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, shortly on arrival from Abuja, weekend, Dr. Mbadiwe, who described such practice as immoral and unethical, assured that “I have a motion to stop carpet-crossing which I am bringing before the National Assembly, because I think it is immoral, unethical and it should be stopped.”
According to Mbadiwe, former governor, Rotary International, District 9140, “the constitution actually does not encourage it. But there is a lacuna in the constitution whereby if you discover that there is a crisis in your party, one can cross over to another party. Some people have done it in the National Assembly and the constitution gives you a leeway to escape,” he said.
He noted that the Supreme Court had decided that it was the party that won elections and not the individual. Citing the case of Governor Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers State, he stressed that any body who wanted to join another party should go back to the electorate because he or she won election on the platform of a political party.
Mbadiwe, also reasoned that if people had commitment, loyalty and love for their party, they would not defect, assuring that he would never leave the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for another party even if he was asked to do so in “order to become Nigerian President in 2015.”
On the zoning arrangements by political parties, the former University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) lecturer said it encouraged mediocrity rather than excellence, noting that zoning had set the country 50 years backward.
“Zoning is one of those palliatives for under-developed countries. Zoning, at the moment is to calm nerves. We should pursue excellence not mediocrity which it encourages,” he stressed.
Mbadiwe continued that “under the zoning system, the best man does not do the job, because of zoning. This country is not making progress and the trend will continue until everybody attains a certain level of education.”
On state creation, Mbadiwe made a strong case for the South-East, adding that if the zone is given additional state it will address the current imbalance among the geo-political zones of the country.
In his own opinion, Nigeria at the moment has too many states. “I feel we have too many states but the imbalance should be addressed first,” he said.
The legislator said the current National Assembly has been the best since Nigeria’s political history because it believed in the interest of Nigerians.
He also disclosed that he was presently studying major problems facing his constituency so that various communities would benefit from the dividends of democracy, noting that social amenities such as water, electricity, massive food production and youth empowerment were some of his top priorities.
The former two-term governor went down memory lane to recall how they founded the APC but were used and dumped.
In his words, “…those calling on us to join APC, we have agreed to join the APC but on clear agreement that protects and respects the interest of my party, NNPP and my political movement, Kwankwasiyya. No state where you go that you don’t have NNPP and Kwankwasiyya. We have gubernatorial candidates, senatorial candidates and others.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.
“We were among the founding fathers of the APC and endured significant persecution from various security agencies while challenging the previous administration.
“Yet when the party assumed power, we received no recognition or appreciation for our sacrifices, simply because we didn’t originate from their original faction.
“We are not in a hurry to leave the NNPP; we are enjoying and have peace of mind. But if some want a political alliance that would not disappoint us like in the past, we are open to an alliance. Even if it is the PDP that realised their mistakes, let’s enter an agreement that will be made public,” Sen. Kwankwaso stated.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he once sought to extend his tenure in office, insisting he never pursued a third term.
Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Chief Obasanjo said there is no Nigerian, living or dead, who can truthfully claim he solicited support for a third term agenda.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” the former president declared.
Chief Obasanjo argued that he had proven his ability to secure difficult national goals, citing Nigeria’s debt relief during his administration as a much greater challenge than any third term ambition.
“I keep telling them that if I could get debt relief, which was more difficult than getting a third term, then if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.
He further cautioned against leaders who overstay in power, stressing that the belief in one’s indispensability is a “sin against God.”
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan said any leader who failed to perform would be voted out of office if proper elections were conducted.
Describing electoral manipulation as one of the biggest threats to democracy in Africa, he said unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform democracy, it may collapse in Africa.
He added that leaders must commit to the kind of democracy that guarantees a great future for the children where their voices matter.
He said: “Democracy in Africa continent is going through a period of strain and risk collapse unless stakeholders came together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa.
“We in Africa must begin to look at our democracy and rethink it in a way that works well for us and our people. One of the problems is our electoral system. People manipulate the process to remain in power by all means.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want good education. Our people want security. They want access to good healthcare. They want jobs. They want dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned.”
The dialogue was also attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto diocese of Catholic Church among others who all stressed that democracy in Africa must go beyond elections to include accountability, service, and discipline.
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
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