Tambuwal Warns Political Parties Of Internal Autocracy Ahead Of 2015

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, on Tuesday decried the “evolving internal autocracy in political parties preparatory to 2015 general elections,” which tries to limit conversation among members of different political parties.

Mr Tambuwal said this at the resumption of the house plenary session after its two-week break.

He warned that if the development was not checked, it would endanger democracy and frustrate the attempt at providing good governance for the people.

The speaker alleged that in pursuance of 2015 political ambitions of several individuals, some people had introduced “new political doctrine” that were alien to democracy.

He said the new political doctrine could be inimical to peaceful co-existence of people in civilized societies.

Mr. Tambuwal urged Nigerians and politicians in particular to resist “new political doctrine” before it caused damage to democracy.

“Preparatory to 2015, many have started introducing political doctrines that are alien to democracy and destructive to peaceful social coexistence in a civilised society.

“They are busy fanning the embers of partisan hate and strife,” he said.

According to him, the new doctrines make it a political offence for a member of one political party to exchange greetings with someone in another political party.

He added that the doctrine also made it “a heinous crime for one to visit, attend the burial, birthday, coronation wedding or any such ceremony of someone in an opposing political party.

“The proponents of this shameful doctrine not only offend our sensibilities, they constitute an affront on the whole essence of democracy and civilised coexistence. They must be halted before they do incalculable damage to our polity. My dear colleagues, we refuse to be students of this school of thought.

“Again, while we are clamouring for the deepening of democracy, including internal party democracy, there has arisen a new group championing the obnoxious cause of the deepening of internal party autocracy and demagoguery.

“This is inexcusable, and indeed, reprehensible at this time in our history. Those who equate loyalty to sycophantic followership not only miss the point but put democracy at risk.’’

Mr Tambuwal said that the house would soon embark on oversight to ensure that Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, comply with the implementation of 2013 budget.

He urged the representatives to always remember their duty to promote and protect the interest of the electorate. The speaker stressed the need for the lawmakers to insist on accountability, probity and good governance in running the affairs of the country.

He pointed out that the Constitutional Amendment Bill, the Petroleum Industry Bill, and the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, were some of the critical bills pending in the house.

He appealed to them not allow the politicking in respect of 2015 to overshadow their sense of responsibility.

“On our part, we should continue the struggle for the building of strong institutions rather than strong men at the level of government as well as political parties,’’ he said.