Rising up for a United Nigeria (RUN) on Tuesday dismissed allegations of disharmony on the floor of the Senate and insinuations that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio is unilaterally passing Bills without a two third majority as required in the constitution and Senate bye laws.
In a statement released to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, Amb. Solomon Adodo, the National Convener of RUN hailed Senator Godswill Akpabio for his patriotic zeal and his impeccable ability to manage the Senate even when most Senators have abandoned their legislative duties.
Hear him, “what played out today is clearly an indictment to those Senators that have absconded and probably only show up when there is something of direct benefit to them. It has also served to present Senator Akpabio as a patriot who is determined to keep the Senate going regardless of the number that attend sittings. The issue of two third majority can only arise when Senators all come for sittings. Those who claim not to know when Bills are passed should tell their constituents their whereabouts rather than resorting to blame games”
RUN also praised the Senate under Akpabio for working tirelessly with Mr. President to give average Nigerians laws that will galvanise the country and create an enabling environment for government to deliver the needed services especially in the area of job creation, poverty reduction and a stable economy, remarking further that, this a positive development and history will definitely be kind to Akpabio who is unwavering in his dedication to the country. The swift passage of Bills is very much required at this time to give the Executive the required filip to address the present and emerging challenges facing Nigeria at the moment.
“It is false to misconstrue the amiable relationship between the legislature especially the Senate and the Executive arm of government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as rubber stamping. The legislature must not be at cross-purposes with the legislature. The harmonious relationship currently being enjoyed by the two arms of government is simply a product of shared vision and mission. Those expecting a fight to break out so they can exploit it should hide their faces in shame because that will not happen”, he added.
Amb. Solomon Adodo also dismissed as baseless, utterances from certain quarters that Senator Godswill Akpabio will be impeached as the Senate President. He insisted that, “instead of coming for Akpabio’s head, Nigerians should call on Senators to take their responsibilities seriously and desist from blaming their principal officers for decisions taken in the open for the good of all Nigerians when some Senators are absent from Senate sittings and proceedings. We are aware that some individuals in the Senate feel uncomfortable with the cordial working relationship between the Senate and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Others are aggrieved at thier losses at the Court and are seeking ways of building negative narratives against the Senate President. However, empirical checks indicate that a vast majority of Senators are very comfortable with the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio and also believe in the policy direction of President Tinubu. We are therefore sure that stability will prevail in the Senate for the good of all Nigerians.”