The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed serious doubt over the integrity of the members of the ninth National Assembly that were inaugurated recently.The Party’s national chairman, Uche Secondus, who spoke today, June 20, at the 86th National Executive Committee (NEC)meeting, said: “PDP as the main opposition party, is very uncomfortable that the level of corruption that preceded the emergence of the leadership (of the National Assembly) is capable of undermining the desired robust legislative activities.
“Having ‘purchased’ the leadership of the parliament, we expect the cabals to now fully take over and dictate the show at the legislature. We have even seen the first sign of what is to come when the APC group in the Senate killed a motion to debate the June 12 speech of the imperial President.
“Only a conquered parliament with credibility challenge can shy away from discussing a major address of a President just sworn into office, but that is a sign of what is to come when choosing legislative leadership is heavily monetized by a regime that claims to be fighting corruption.
“The bazaar that took place during the election of National Assembly leaders clearly gives a picture of the anti-corruption status and how the APC has become home for looters.
“Just last week, Nigerians witnessed how some corruption charges involving APC chieftains were withdrawn from the EFCC and handed over to the Attorney General for final dropping.”
Secondus turned to his party members and regretted the embarrassing roles some of them played at the National Assembly during the election of their leaders.
“Party loyalty demands that you stick to your party at any given situation. When personal interest clash with party interest, personal should drown into that of the party, that’s what real democrats are expected to do.
He congratulated the leadership of the 8th National Assembly, in particular, the Senate President Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara “for the wonderful job they did, especially in resisting the executive, maintaining the independence of the legislature and sustaining the doctrine of separation of power.”
