NASS Leadership: We’ll Retire Any Senator That Reneges On Party Position – APC

BY BABA AHMED, LAFIA – The National leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has vowed to send on compulsory political retirement any of its National Assembly members that flout the Party’s decision regarding its choice of President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives like the case with Senator Bukola Saraki.

National Vice Chairman, North Central of APC, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman Wambai stated the Party’s position in an interview with Forefront News, warning that whoever dares to disobey the party will surely be retired from politics as a consequence of disloyalty.

Wambai said; “In 2015 when Senator Saraki came through the back door, without the input of the party and the executive, the president kept quiet, but it later led to the retirement of some people in the arena.”

He blamed the media for the hype over the National Assembly leadership issue, stressing that both the electronic and print media, with some people who are not members of APC, have been amplifying the matter thereby making unnecessary funfair out of a non-issue.

Alhaji Wambai dismissed the assertion that Chief Ahmed Bola Tinubu is controlling and forcing decisions on the party, especially with regards to the leadership of the National Assembly, noting that Tinubu is most times quoted out of context over the statement that anybody who will not accept Hon Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker should quit the party.

According to the APC Chieftain; “Tinubu is a respected party leader, but he is not a member of NWC and the decision to zone positions was not initiated by Tinubu. Even the president only concurred with the position of the party. We are not being teleguided by Tinubu or the President. It is purely a party’s decision.”

Wambai said the APC leadership took a decision on Senator Ahmed Lawan for the Senate President position after wide consultations and discussions with relevant stakeholders.

He warned that those that renege will face the wrath of APC and Nigerians, adding that loyal party members are expected to respect its decisions at all times.

Wambai further said; “The party held a meeting with the legislators, both old and new, before we took this decision. Then, the party moved to the Villa and collectively, we were there. Senators were there before the president and the party re-iterated its position”

“We did not take the decision alone, but made consultations at all levels. However, we can’t stop anybody from contesting because he has the right as a Nigerian.”

The APC National Vice Chairman said the decision to pick Senator Lawan was as a result of his loyalty and respect for the party, adding that the decision was also accepted by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him; “We sat down and said there is semblance of loyalty and cooperation and you know the reward of loyalty always goes with trust. In that spirit, Ahmed Lawan during the defection saga was at the forefront of championing the cause of the party. So, we taught it is morally right to reward him.

“The party has taken a decision. Mr President has graciously taken a position. What we expect from all our loyal party members is compliance with the position of the party.

“The position of the APC is that we have set the rules and loyal members of ours must respect the rules because in party affairs there is discipline.”

He however said the party is yet to take a decision on Speaker of the House of Representatives, stressing that those singing the name of Hon Femi Gbajabiamila as the party’s choice are ignorant of the internal workings of the APC.

In his words; “Although, anybody can aspire for the Speakership, but the party is yet to take a decision on who emerges as the speaker or which zone should produce the next Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“The party cannot be pre-empted. We only spoke on the Senate president since the President is from the North West, the Vice President from South West and the Senate President should go to the North Central if the status quo is to be maintained or to North East for power sharing equation.

“Everybody has the right to choose what he wants, but the party has taken a position and that exercise will be done in our presence. We are not forcing anybody but if you have your way, the party must have its say.”