CNPP to MPs: Don’t elect ‘rubber stamp’ leaders

Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has challenged members-elect in the House of Representatives to resist any move by President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to impose a ‘rubber stamp National Assembly’ in the overall and overriding national interest.

CNPP, through its National Publicity Secretary Mr. Osita Okechukwu, made the call just as the seventh National Assembly elects new set of leaders today.

The coalition expressed the view that a vibrant, robust and independent National Assembly anchored on the everlasting doctrine of separation of powers, where checks and balances and oversight functions are diligently applicable, will advance good governance, promote transparency, provide electricity and pull Nigeria out of the monumental corruption of the last decade.

“Our position is that it is the prerogative of the National Assembly to elect its presiding and principal officers, consequently we regard moves by President Jonathan and his henchmen to undermine the independence of the legislature by imposing its leadership as undemocratic and utter breach of the constitution,” the group further stated.

While expressing outrage over President Jonathan’s remarks which were interpreted as canvassing for a strong and almighty PDP instead of a stronger institution of democracy like the National Assembly, the CNPP said: “Paradoxically, during the same PDP retreat President Jonathan who violated PDP  constitution as per zoning thundered, ‘loyalty, internal democracy and party discipline are some essential elements in this mission. It is therefore imperative that as members of our party we must strive to subject ourselves to the guidelines of its leadership.”

“CNPP is worried with the increasing flip-flop and double speak of President Jonathan and his passion to use all the arsenal under his high office to enthrone a rubber stamp National Assembly, where it will be ‘food is ready’ business as usual.

“Accordingly, we call on honourable members-elect to wake-up and resist attempt to muscle the house; for regrettably the Senate is rubber stamp Senate on arrival with Senator David Mark as president. “How can Mr President actualize his agenda to transform Nigeria under a rubber stamp Senate under the leadership of Senator David Mark, whose greatest achievement is that he shared Senate jumbo allocations more equitably than Rep. Dimeji Bankole did with the House?

“We cannot easily forget how Senator Mark, his deputy and co, for less than altruistic reasons in the course of the amendment exercises mutilated the Constitution and Electoral Act 2010 and watered down the Freedom of Information Act; hence dampened and took life out of the noble laws meant to strengthen democracy.“Hon. Members, to stop President Jonathan’s plot to enthrone a rubber stamp National Assembly is a task that must be done,” the party said.

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