The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties on Sunday appealed to the Senate to “as a matter of urgent national importance”, fast-track the screening and confirmation of the ministerial nominees submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Congress urged the senators to limit themselves to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and extant laws, and not necessarily their own guidelines and rules, in carrying out the assignment.
The CNPP, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, which was made available to journalists in Enugu, said a speedy confirmation of the nominees would “cement” cordial relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.
“For us this is the only panacea to cement cordial bi-partisan relationship – as a rancorous screening and confirmation process can in no way appease nor reassure the good people of Nigeria who are anxiously waiting for the progressive change they voted for.
“Whereas we appreciate the need to thoroughly screen the nominees and the import of screening out the bad eggs, however, we are making this passionate call of urgent national importance to fast-tract the process, so as to engender cordial bi-partisan relationship between the executive and the legislature and good governance,” the CNPP said.
The body noted that it would be unfortunate if some of the nominees, including former governors of Rivers and Lagos states, Rotimi Amaechi and Babatunde Fashola, were denied confirmation because of what it described as the “antics” of political opponents.
The Congress added, “For the avoidance of doubt, how can we explain and justify that Hajia Amina Mohammed, an acclaimed global technocrat, is denied confirmation on the flimsy excuse of state of origin or the hurried manner and antics of the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Nyeson Wike, to make sure that his predecessor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, is denied confirmation, and thus for former governor of Lagos State, Raji Fashola, whose traducers want to revise his enviable records and deny confirmation?
“This is neither the intendment nor the spirit and letters of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), as per confirmation of ministers designate.
“It is our considered view that it may be far less altruistic if the National Assembly, and the Senate, in this instance, which on its own initiative from day one constructed cordial bi-partisan relationship between the ruling party – the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party – to wittingly or unwittingly simulate gridlock which will definitely infuriate the tired and weary citizenry of our dear nation.”
The CNPP went ahead to warn that “further bickering between the executive and the legislature will further alienate our people from democracy and hence endanger our fledgling democracy.”
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