By Jacob Ogodo Abakaliki
A former Senator, Emmanuel Azu Agboti has condemned the spate of attacks on President Muhamadu Buhari on account of his present health challenges. Speaking to journalists in Abakaliki on Sunday Agboti who represented Ebonyi South zone in the Senate accused members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of politicising the President’s health in a bid to scorecheap political points. “It is shameful for people to play politics with somebody’s health. Health is a gift from God. Any of us can be sick at any time. Buhari didn’t ask for the sickness and for us to politicise his sickness is sad and I advise such politicians to keep away from discussing such issues. I repeat, any of us could be sick at any time and if I play with your health, I don’t know what is coming to me” Senator Agboti, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also expressed satisfaction with the Senate for the amendments to the Constitution which he noted was long overdue. “I was in there before and they are there now. We could have done those things then, we knew the challenges we had at the time and those things were not passed especially the local government autonomy, it has been in the burner all along and I praise them for it”, he said.
While warning that the race has not yet been won as the amendments have to be approved by at least two third of State Houses of Assembly in the country, Agboti, however, expressed confi dence that the present state assemblies will support the amendments. “Democracy is evolving in Nigeria, so last ad administration’s state assemblies are diff erent from those of today. Th e members are more mature, they read, they understand and they are more experienced. I have no doubt in my mind that they will pass the amendments especially those ones that involve them, the states and the local governments”. On restructuring, Agboti said that it will be a gradual process noting that with the amendments granting state assemblies and local governments autonomy the All Progressive Congress has kick started restructuring of the country. He also called for dialogue to move the nation forward and implementation of the 2014 National Conference report on restructuring. “Well restructuring has started now that you are handing over autonomy to the local government. “I was part of the last national conference, and we wrote copiously on restructuring, devolution of power. All they have to do is to pull out the documents and work on it. Whatever we do this country is going to stay as one, and we must leave in peace.” Agboti added.
