The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, on Sunday pleaded with the Senate, to as a matter of urgent national importance, fast-track the screening and confirmation of the ministerial nominees submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement issued by Mr. Osita Okechukwu, the National Publicity Secretary of the CNPP, the group said such a smooth process was the only panacea “to cement cordial Bi-Partisan relationship, as a rancorous screening and confirmation process can in no way appease the good people of Nigeria, who are anxiously waiting for the progressive change they voted for.”
The CNPP stated that, “whereas, we appreciate the need to thoroughly screen the nominees and the import of screening out the bad eggs, however, we are making this passionate call of urgent national importance to fast-tract the process, so as to engender cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature and usher in good governance.”
On the protest which has so far trailed some ministerial nominees, Okechukwu said, “how can we explain and justify that Hajia Amina Mohammed, an acclaimed global technocrat should be denied confirmation on the flimsy excuse of state of origin or the hurried manner and antics of the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Nyeson Wike to make sure that his predecessor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is denied confirmation and thus the case of former governor of Lagos State, Raji Fashola whose traducers want to revise his enviable records and deny him confirmation? This is neither the intendment nor the spirit and letters of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), as per confirmation of ministers designate.
“It is our considered view that it may be far less altruistic if the National Assembly and the Senate in this instance, which on its own initiative from day one constructed Cordial Bi-Partisan relationship between the ruling party- the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to wittingly or unwittingly simulate gridlock, which will definitely infuriate the tired and weary citizenry of our dear nation.
“As a reminder, may we advise that further bickering between the executive and the legislature will further alienate our people from democracy and hence endanger our fledgling democracy, as some people are questioning the gains of democracy in the midst of hunger, abject poverty and gross unemployment.
“Granted that there are fans of gridlock, and pundits who will narrate how face-off between the executive and legislature nurtures democracy, what they forget is that gridlock will definitely hinder the noble objectives of Mr President, erode foreign direct investment and make democracy dysfunctional.
“Therefore, our candid appeal is that gridlock is avoidable, only if the Distinguish Senators in their enlightened self interest and over all national interest, limit themselves to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and extant laws, and not necessarily trapped by their own guidelines and rules, which recent observance is scanty.”
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