Abuja, Nigeria, 29 July 2015: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has commended the peaceful resolution of the House of Representatives leadership crisis, which until now, had bogged down the activities of the House.
In a statement released by his Media Office in Abuja on Wednesday, 29 July, the former Vice President recalled that the amicable outcome of the tension was in line with his earlier position that compromise and accommodation were necessary in ending the deadlock.
According to the former Vice President, the opposing sides have demonstrated maturity, wisdom and sense of patriotism by finally arriving at a workable compromise.
He said that in any compromise, you win some and lose some of your demands. He explained that he was constantly disturbed by how the crisis was adversely affecting the change agenda of the APC administration.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the fatherly role he played in the resolution of the National Assembly crisis.
Atiku said it was this concern that led to his prompt intervention from the beginning to avoid the tension getting out of hand, and thereby threatening the implementation of the party’s progressive programmes to make life better for Nigerians.
The former Vice President explained that there should be no rivalry between the executive and legislative arms of government because both of them should be united by the common goal of offering efficient service delivery to Nigerians.
The APC chieftain said, “As a stakeholder, I am committed to promoting harmonious working relationship between the two branches of government. I was once in government, and I knew why harmony and cooperation are essential in the success of presidential system of government.”
The former Vice President urged the lawmakers to see themselves as partners in progress in the implementation of the change agenda.
He therefore, called on the warring parties in the House of Representatives to put the bitterness of the crisis behind them, and direct their energies towards the success of the governing APC administration.
In a statement also, Comrade Issa Aremu ,General Secretary of Textile Workers’ Union hailed the spirit of reconciliation among lawmakers.”We commend both the Senate and House of Representatives for the new spirit of reconciliation which led to their successful resumption of legislative business on Tuesday July 28th, 2015. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara closes the chapter of acrimony with his commendable apology to Nigerians for the unparliamentary conduct of the recent time.
“Labour is encouraged also with the remark of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki that “Leadership is secondary. Primary responsibility is good governance.” This renewed sense of compromise by legislators should be reflected in their work ahead.
Aremu who is the deputy president of Ajaero-led faction of NLC said “The renewed reconciliation must now pave the way for real legislative business which the Senate under the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki has commendably started with the reading and screening of the service chiefs as submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“More than ever before, the 8th National Assembly has enormous tasks ahead given the unacceptable level of poverty in the land, factory closures and mass unemployment.
“Nigerians therefore look forward to progressive legislations for national development, wealth generation, enhanced productivity, protection of domestic industry, ensuring dignity of labour, creation of jobs and decent wage among others. Real reconciliation among legislators must start with good laws for good governance.
Speaking on the renewed activity by EFCC, Aremu said “All Nigerians acknowledge the renewed effort of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under the chairmanship of Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde in investigating and prosecuting proven cases of corruption. There certainly cannot be development with pervasive corruption.
“However, labour urges EFCC to be fair and just in its dealings with suspects and avoid the pitfall of avoidable perception of bias. EFCC’s investigating and prosecution processes must be transparent and fair” Aremu said.
