…Seeks Proactive Leader For Nigeria
SAN FRANCISCO, November 02, (THEWILL) – The lawmaker representing Rivers South-East in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of plotting to sack the Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, for defecting to All Progressives Party (APC) through the backdoor, saying the move will fail because the party cannot justify its plan in the nation’s constitution.
He however maintained that what Nigeria needs at this point of her history are proactive leaders and not need leaders with excuses while the people are being slaughtered.
Senator Abe spoke as the APC welcomed the PDP Chairman of Ward 17 in Gokana Local Government of Rivers State, Barioma Fili, who doubled as Chairman of PDP Chairmen in the area, into the APC.
Speaking in Bera while addressing APC executives from the 17 Wards of Gokana on the collection of permanent voters card and continuous registration slated for Nov. 7 – 10 , Senator Abe said efforts to sack Tambuwal from office will be futile as it would be difficult to get no fewer than 240 members of the House to endorse his removal as stipulated by the country’s constitution.
“The Speaker of the House of Representatives has joined our party, the APC, for the same reasons we left the PDP. People are leaving PDP because there is no justice, integrity, honesty and respect for rules that govern the game. They have withdrawn the number four citizen’s security details because he left the PDP.
“Our constitution is very clear. You can become a Speaker of the House of Representatives once you are a member of the House, and our constitution says members of the House will elect one person as their speaker. Consequently, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal was elected as their Speaker,” he said.
“Because they cannot remove him through the law, they are trying to turn the National Assembly into the Rivers State House of Assembly. Nigerians must reject this kind of behaviour. Let us make it clear to those who have power that violating the constitution will not help them because it is the constitution that will protect you and I.
“Tomorrow when I am no longer a Senator, I will depend on that constitution. Tomorrow when you are no longer a Governor, you will depend on that constitution. Tomorrow when you are no longer a President, you will depend on that constitution.”
He however congratulated Tambuwal for joining those who believe that this country must move forward.
“Nigeria is at war; there is trouble in Northern Nigeria. There is a town called Mubi, it is the biggest cattle market in West Africa, it is home to thousands of Nigerians. Boko Haram has over-run that town.
“They have driven everybody out; killing people and those people are Nigerians. We have freedom of movement, religion and association in Nigeria. But today, thousands of Nigerians like you and me cannot enjoy these freedom.
“We need leaders that will provide solution to the problems of this country. We don’t need leaders that will continue to give excuses while Nigerians are being slaughtered. We don’t need leaders that will continue to point fingers when things are going wrong. We need leaders that will provide solutions to the problems of Nigeria. Anybody who doesn’t have a solution should give way, so that people who have solutions can come in.”
The sensitisation campaign also witnessed the defection of the Chairman, PDP Ward 17 in Gokana Local Government, Barioma Fili who before the move was also the Chairman of PDP Ward Chairmen in the Area to APC.
In his speech at the occasion, Fili, who was introduced by Victor Giadom, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, said: “I join the APC because I’m no longer comfortable with the lies that I am being repeatedly told. I have also realised that my supporters are no longer comfortable with their membership of the PDP; since I cannot remain alone, I have freely chosen to join the APC.”
