Rough Times Await APC After Buhari – Lawan

• Endorses women, youth inclusiveness in governance and party positions

BY EDMOND ODOK – President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmad Lawan, is certainly a troubled man over the fate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) going forward, admitting the Party will face serious challenges after President Muhammadu Buhari’s exit from the Aso Rock Villa come 2023.

For him, only timely interventions and conscious steps by stakeholders can save the ruling Party from impending doom when the President finally completes his tenure in less than two years.

Senator Lawan said among these deliberate steps by stakeholders is youth inclusiveness in governance and mentorship, noting that; “We also have to mentor our youths, but we have to give them the opportunity to participate in governance.”

He also maintained that the ruling party would do better in its governance and delivery of democracy dividends with “more youths and more women in our government and party positions.”

Addressing First Progressives Youth Conference 2021 held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, Senator Lawan said APC must start planning ahead to sustain the goodwill and legacies of the current administration by ensuring its leaders hand over power to competent youths in the party.

According to him, such deft moves have become necessary in order for the Party to retain its appeal and nationalistic outlook beyond the 2023 general elections, adding; “Whether we like it or not, the truth is, President Muhammadu Buhari remains the person with the bulk of the support we get across this country in APC.

“[And] when he leaves, he would still have some roles, but I dare say that it is after he leaves office that APC will face its challenge. Yes, we have to know our value then, and the value of APC presently is APC minus President Muhammadu Buhari. Whatever it is, that is the value of APC.

“So, we need to do a lot to build this party, and we need our youths more than ever before for them to continue with this legacy that this administration has established all over the country.

A statement by his Special Assistant (Press), Ezrel Tabiowo, further quoted the Senate President as saying; “That means we have to see ourselves as brothers and sisters regardless of where we come from. Our tribe or even ethnic group, our religious persuasion should not matter when it comes to uniting this country.

“As APC, the onus is on us to provide security and an economy that will bring growth and development to give people the kind of life that is meaningful. We can ask others to join us, but we are the ones to do it, so we need all hands on deck.”

Lawan, who blamed the bickering between the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government for APC’s inability to deliver on most of its promises to Nigerians during President Buhari’s first tenure, said; “When we were voted in 2019 as leaders of the National Assembly, we were conscious of one thing, that the mandate that was given to us by Nigerians in 2015 had suffered disruption and dislocation.

“For four years (2015 to 2019), our government could not perform optimally because of the then crisis between the parliament – the National Assembly – and the Executive arm of government. So, APC had already lost four very important years. And, that was supposed to be the years that we should have convinced Nigerians that they took the right decision by voting out a PDP administration in 2015.

“What are our options? We are one party in different arms of government. Our policies are supposed to be the same. Our programmes and projects are supposed to be the same, whether you’re in the legislature or the executive.

“So long as you are APC, that is your programme and project, that is your government and you are bound to make it succeed. So, we took the conscious decision of working in harmony that our relationship must be characterized by consultation, coordination, partnership, and mutual respect, that we must succeed in the second tenure (2019 – 2023). Otherwise, in 2023, many would like to see our backs if you can’t provide the services expected of you in your first four years.

“[And] you to change and do better, why would anybody give you eight years? So, we felt we have an obligation to Nigerians who voted for us, to our people in APC, and to our country, that we must work in such a fashion and manner that government is able to deliver services to Nigerians.”

Speaking about the ongoing amendment to the 1999 constitution, Senator Lawan said the exercise will accord priority to the inclusion of youths in governance, noting that the objective is to ensure divestment of power to the younger generation in a manner that encourages their active participation in the various political process.

“Power is not given by opposition. When we were out of power or when we came in, another party was in control of the country – the PDP. There was no way the PDP could have given us power a la carte, but the people of Nigeria mobilized and, of course, that government was voted out.

“But when it is a family affair, and this is my position, power is given not taken. Imagine yourself and your children, you want them to be better than you. But when you say power will not be given, that family is dysfunctional. So, power is given and can be given. How I wish it would be given.”

Assuring Nigerian Youths of his support, Senator Lawan said; “I am with you and I am on your side. I am still on the side that we can give power to our youths. We should enable them, prepare them and tell them this is the way to go. You have seen us do it, and you can do better because of the energy and capacity that you have.”

“These days, our youths have more capacities, what they may lack is that clout. So, we also have to mentor our youths, but we have to give them the opportunity to participate in governance”, the Senate President counseled.