Alhaji Bashir Tofa was the presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention in the 1993 presidential election. He recently hosted journalists at his Kano residence during which the elder statesman speaks on some major issues within the polity. For instance, he expresses shock at the National Assembly’s handling of the 2016 Appropriation Bill, accusing the lawmakers of ‘sabotaging’ the Muhammadu Buhari administration. ALIYU ASKIRA reports
The performance of the 8th Assembly so far is nothing but a complete disservice to our democracy and the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari. They are yet to know the purpose for which Nigerians gave them their mandate. There is really nothing to suggest that they are ready to truly serve Nigeria.
Or how does one explain all that is going on in our National Assembly? For instance, I was shocked when prosecuting lawyer attached to the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Segun Jacobs, SAN, on Tuesday argued that the tribunal cannot stop prosecuting Bukola Saraki because it will affect the business of the Senate because according to him, it is a shame and very embarrassing that senators are leaving their constitutional duties to follow one person to the tribunal when they are aware that it is only Bukola Saraki that is on trial not the Senate Presidency.
These senators, most of them found themselves in the Senate chamber because of Buhari’s integrity and acceptance by the electorates. We voted for them to constitute the majority in the Senate so that things will be easy for President Buhari in governing the country. But today, the reverse is the case as most of them are busy struggling for expensive cars or how to inject fictitious projects into the budget. This is very embarrassing to say the least.
Buhari’s promise to work with any NASS leader
I think there is the need to make some clarifications here. When Buhari said he was ready to work with whoever emerged as Senate President or Speaker, House of Representatives, I am sure he was thinking that most of our National Assembly members are in Abuja to serve the nation. But today, what we are seeing is senators from ruling party sabotaging a president produced by their own party.
Since I joined politics decades ago, this is the worst scenario I am witnessing. Buhari is a former Head of State, former petroleum minister, former PTF chairman and former governor yet, he left office with his account empty. Out of pressure, Nigerians begged him to come and join politics to continue serving the nation after trying three times . Today, God magnanimously rewarded him with the presidency, all we need to do is to pray for him, give him good advice and always be ready to offer whatever we can so that Nigeria can be revived again.
Buhari’s travels
Immediately Buhari was elected president, he visited many important countries and secured assistance and pledges from developed countries to help Nigeria stand back on its feet again. This man is making all these visits at the age of 73years, the man does not need money, a beautiful woman or any form of luxury because he has seen it all in his life. Yet, instead of praying for his success, some people are regarding his foreign trips as unnecessary and uncalled for. This, to me, is lack of gratitude on our part.
Appeal to governors and APC leaders
Let me therefore call on our governors and elders of APC to as a matter of urgency call our senators to order to do the needful so that President Buhari can have a clean and workable budget on his table which he can sign so that he will start fully implementing the manifestos of the ruling party.
On Senate purchase of cars
If our senators are wise, at a time when their president is on trial, why should they embark on buying luxury cars for their use? Each car, according to reports costs N35 Million. From where did they source this money because the budget is yet to be approved? Or is it a bank loan and if it is so, can’t they wait for the budget to be approved?
Mr. John Odigie Oyegun, National Chairman of APC should for God sake, find a way to put his party in order. I nearly shed tears when I saw PDP Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu presiding over the Senate in which APC has complete majority. This to me, is a failure on the part of APC leadership. How did they allow PDP to even pick the number two sit in the first place. This is a shame.
Let me finally submit that whether saboteurs like it or not, under President Buhari, Nigeria will be great again. There is no way a woman in labour will not feel the pain when delivering her baby. The pain we are undergoing now will go very soon, but we should next time know the type of people to represent us at the National Assembly. This issue of APC sack must be avoided in future elections. People must be voted based on their past record of service.
