KEHINDE AKINTOLA
One of the key aspirants for the speaker’s position, Mohammed Umar Bago (APC-Niger) has kicked against the position of All Progressive Congress (APC) to adopt open ballot system during the forthcoming election of principal officers in the 9th session of the National Assembly.
Bago’s position coincides with a peaceful protest staged at the National Assembly where hundreds of Nigerians, warned against proposed plan to adopt secret ballot system.
A group under the aegis of Advocates for Good Governance which stormed National Assembly on Wednesday demanded for an open ballot for the conduct of National Assembly’s election.
“We write you this letter as a group of patriotic Nigerians and advocates of Good Governance keenly following political developments and events in our country.
“We are particularly interested in the activities of the National Assembly and contributions of various members and how they reflect the aspirations and interests of their constituents in electing leaders of the National Assembly.
“Sir, you may wish to know that every elected member of the National Assembly Is a representative of specific constituents keeping tabs with unfolding m developments at the National Assembly.
“We are however. dismayed by information coming from the National Assembly that the leadership of the 9th Assembly will be conducted via a secret ballot process. More worrisome is the fact that the leadership of 8th Assembly has perfected plans to select leaders who will constitute a legislative cog in the wheel of progress of Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari,” the Group observed.
In his address, however, the Niger lawmaker who spoke during a stakeholders’ meeting, urged Members-elect to remain calm over threats that open ballot will be adopted during the National Assembly elections, declaring that the Legislature has an established tradition that can’t be altered.
“The developing story is that I have withdrawn from the race, that is not true, I am in the race and I am going to the floor on the day of the inauguration and by God’s grace I will come out victorious, because the issues that we are calling for have not been addressed; the issues of justice and equity.
“And all men and women of faith have continued to encourage us on this journey and we are not going to rest on our oars. We have our colleagues behind us and by the grace of God, just the 360 of us will be in that hallowed chamber on that day to elect one of us.
“When people talk about loyalty, I keep laughing. Can there be anybody more loyal to the party than we are? We have come with President Muhammadu Buhari from the time of The Buhari Organisation (TBO), Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), merger, to the APC and now next level. Our CV is too much for us to throw away at this time.
“We are very loyal to the party and we are core Buharists. We are disciples of a leader who has taught us to do things rightly.
“I am competent and qualified. Are you talking about academic qualification or are you talking about legislative experience? We will do this job very well.
On a report that his colleagues disowned him, Bago said: “my colleagues did not disown me, and even my party did not disown me. All that the chairman said was that they want to toe the direction of the party, which is very okay! That is what they want to do but you need to understand that 360 of us will be in that hallowed chamber on that day.
“We are very funny as a people. Why didn’t same group come out to ask for open ballot voting at the general election if they are genuine in what they are doing?
“We cannot allow people to continue to abuse the corporate names of non-governmental organisations to come under the guise of public and be causing mischief, it is pure mischief.
“There’s a tradition in the National Assembly that principal officers are chosen through the open secret ballot system,” he maintained.
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