A group of former National Assembly members have cautioned leadership of various political parties, President and Governors-elect against  interfering with the elections of National Assembly Principal Officers.

The ex-lawmakers also kicked against zoning of legislative positions alongside those of the Executive arm of Government.

They made the call after a one-day sensitisation parley with some State Assembly Members-Elect in Jos, Plateau State.

According to the communique signed by Hon. Golu Timothy, former Chief Whip of the Plateau State House of Assembly and Member of the 8th House of Representatives, the former legislators including Senators, House of Representatives and State Assembly Principal Officers and other resource persons who spoke at the event, averted that Executive Offices are different from legislative positions, hence must exist on their respective merits whether the occupants come from the same zone.

While noting that such does not add value to democratic principles neither does it promotes separation of powers, checks and balances, they underscored the need to allow Members-elect to exercise their franchise without any interference.

The ex-lawmakers maintained that allowing for a natural course of leadership brings better harmony and understanding, mutual respect and less politicisation.

They agreed that having a legislative officer from the same zone with any executive officer should not be an issue because they have different roles and responsibilities to perform and will be assessed based on their respective constitutionally assigned duties.

According to Golu, the ex- lawmakers said the practice where the executive seeks to impose Legislative leadership across the nation has caused more harm for the legislature than good because it has often caused instability and most times, inefficiency of the leadership where it survives.

The lawmakers said such practices should no longer be encouraged in this 21st century and especially in Nigeria where the election of legislators have been unprecedentedly multiparty -base.

“Look at how the election of legislators went across the country in the just concluded 2023 general elections. People were voted not according to party but the personalities involved. If party considerations are less a factor in the just concluded general elections, why must our political parties and their leaderships zoned Legislative offices? Such will not bring any expected result but crisis of confidence.”

Quoting the legislators, Hon. Golu said: “It is no longer fashionable for the Executive to interfere with the leadership decisions of the legislatures at any level.

“Legislators have come of age in the country and must be allowed to do their things.

“Where we have people elected and you want to decide for them their leadership is in itself undemocratic.

“The experiences of the legislature are quite different from those of the executive.

President and Governors- Elect should refrain from deciding for the legislators who becomes their Speakers. Most times those imposed don’t last and where they do, they don’t perform because of distractions and anxiety or fear of survival or incompetence.

“We must not continue in this way. Political parties must stay away from causing legislative instability in our legislatures under the guise of deciding their leadership. This has not augur well for our democracy.

“Where legislative leaderships emerged through popular decisions of the lawmakers, productivity, mutual respect, understanding and cohesion are visibly the results.”

The former lawmakers commended the Members-elect especially those of the House of Representatives for their support for Rt Hon Aliyu Muktar Betara for the Speakership of the 10th Assembly, saying the fifth term legislator from Borno State has done well to deserve such support.

According to him, Honourable Betara has always demonstrated exceptional qualities of leadership and excellent interpersonal relations with his colleagues and therfore an amiable choice to reckon with.

“He is a gentle and humble person full of respect for others. He doesn’t look down on anybody rather he befriends easily and built bridges across.

“We appreciate Members-Elect for identifying these leadership qualities in Betara and working for him to emerge the Speaker of the 10th Assembly.

“They will not regret their support for him having worked with him and known who he is. We urged them not to get weary inspite of any pressures that may come to them,” Honourable Golu stressed.

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The Sokoto State Governor Elect under the platform of All Progressive Congress, APC Ahmad Aliyu, has inaugurated a 108-member transition Committee to ensure the smooth takeover of administration by May 29, 2023.

Inaugurating the Committe, the Governor Elect said it became necessary for the composition of the committee following the victory of his party at the just concluded governorship election in the state.

He charged the committee to use their diverse experience to ensure timely accomplishment of the responsibility before them.

” As you are aware that the task before you is a heavy one, leveraging on the broad composition 108 member transition Committee with diverse experiences.

” In line with four terms of reference outlined in your appointment letter you are expected to develop a clear framework for liason with outgoing administration for the purpose of smooth takeover.

” It is expected of you to carry out details analysis, review and provides preliminary assessment of the handover report you may receive from the outgoing administration,” he charged the committee.

He further urged members of the committee to also take into consideration the incoming administration’s 9 Point Agenda, which include Security, promoting Religious Affairs, Education, Healthcare delivery, Water supply, Economy, Agriculture, women empowerment as well as Local government autonomy while undertaking their assignment.

According to him, the committee is also expected to highlight the most urgent and critical issues that may be confronting the incoming APC government in the state.

“I wish to stress that your committee is essentially aimed at obtaining facts that are necessary to develop a framework that will enable a great early start by the incoming administration “he noted.

Ahmad Aliyu further stated that the committee is to suggest”quick fixes” that will result in tangible, visible and practical measures , such that the much desired change can be seen after 100 days as well as six months of the administration from the may 29th handover.

“Moreover, you are to prepare a roadmap for implementing the manifesto of the incoming government based on the collated campaign promises to be achieved on the short, medium and long term of the administration”

“You may also co-opt any individual or group of individuals whose contributions may enhance your assignment,” he added.

Also speaking, the Chairman APC transition committee, Ambassador Abubakar Sani thanked the governor elect for finding them worthy by given them the task.

Ambassador Sani assured the governor elect that the committee would all it can to ensure a successful transition for sustainable development of the state.

Earlier, Sokoto State APC Chairman, Isa sadiq Achida, commended the Governor elect for the the composition of the committee which he said would assured smooth taking over of administration by May 29, 2023.

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The leading contender for the Speakership post in the 10th House of Representatives, Hon. Muktar Betera Aliyu has visited the President Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a view to extracting his support and endorsement.

The member representing Biu/Bayo/Shani and Kwaya Kusar Federal Constituency of Borno State has been canvassing support for his speakership aspiration with party members, Members Elect, former Lawmakers and stakeholders have been throwing their weight behind the lawmaker who they described as a man of the people.

His campaign and consultation to the President-elect is one out of many consultations he has embarked upon in the last three months ahead of June inauguration.

The President-elect personally held Hon. Betara’s hand as he led him into the inner room for discussions.

Betara who currently chairs the House of Representatives Appropriation Committee, had earlier exchanged warm pleasantries with the incoming Commander in Chief shortly after having some photo sessions.

Betera’s consultation visit to the President-elect took place at his new official residence at the Defence House in Abuja, following the latter’s return from vacations and the Muslim lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Also present alongside Betara were: the outgoing president of the Senate, Sen. Ahmad Lawan, former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi and a host of other loyalists of the President-elect.

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