Senator Florence Ita-Giwa believes the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu as the President and Deputy in the Nigerian Senate is a plus for President Buhari’s government.
The former PDP lawmaker was the guest of Politics Today on Channels Television where she analysed the recent controversy in the National Assembly, especially the ruling APC’s disapproval of Saraki as the party’s candidate for the position.
Providing an explanation for her stance, she said that the decision of the President not to interfere in the affairs of the National Assembly is a plus for the President as it is a fulfilment of his promise to the nation.
She further explained, “The emergence of Saraki and Ekweremadu from PDP and from the Ibo part of the country would help both of them work together with him.
“The APC victory is good but its not a comfortable victory (because) a whole part of the country did not vote APC and if I were in his shoes I will try to make friends with that part of the country because there will be another election and if you’re running the country you need the country to be together.
“You make sure that those from South-East are well integrated into your government. There’s no other way to unite the country,” she said, adding that Nigerians would “now see that its an all inclusive government.”
Ita-Giwa advised the President to seize the opportunity to establish strong cordiality with the legislature.
Experience and Intellect
Senator Ita-Giwa also sees no reason why Saraki’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) should have tried to impose their will on the Senate.
She expects the APC to “respect the wish” of the Senate as the House is made up of mature politicians who would not easily accept decisions being made for them.
“Do you know what it takes to get to the Senate? That 109?
“You would have grown, successful, you’re knowledgable, you’re not a kid. So it will not be easy for somebody to sit outside and decide for you who you want to be your leader.”
She noted also that the decision of the senators to elect Saraki must have been informed by his qualification.
“Saraki has the experience, he has the intellect, the knowledge, the pedigree. His father was a wonderful senate leader. APC should be proud to have such a man become their Senate President.”
She said further, “The danger we have in this country is picking who ‘the leaders’ want. You should pick what is good for the country, not what the party wants because at this time we are talking about Nigeria, your interest should be Nigeria and those in that chamber represent the interest of Nigeria.”
APC’s Grouse
Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had expressed displeasure with the outcome of the National Assembly leadership election, calling it ‘Treachery’.
Contrary to the party’s choice of candidates in a mock election, Mr Bukola Saraki emerged the Senate President while Mr Yakubu Dogara clinched the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Although both persons are members of the APC, the party had chosen Senator Ahmed Lawan for the Senate President’s position and Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila as its candidate for the position of the Speaker.
Asides both men losing out, the major twist was the emergence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu from the minority Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Deputy Senate President.
Senators from the All Progressives Congress (APC) threatened to take all necessary political and legal means to challenge the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President.
The Senators, under the platform of the ‘Unity Forum’, said that the process, which saw Senator Saraki emerge along with an opposition Senator as Deputy, was unconstitutional and could not confer legitimacy to the Senate President.
The ruling party, APC, also said the outcome of the elections of the two chambers was “totally unacceptable” referring to it as “the highest level of indiscipline and treachery“.
The party, however, later said that it had decided to live with the reality of Saraki being the Senate President, saying the party would come out from its challenges stronger.
