Should parties impose leaders on National Assembly?

The polity has been inundated with issues about where the Senate President and Speaker House of Representatives for the 9th Assembly should come from; with the parties, especially the APC, saying who should emerge and from what political zone. Here, a cross section of Nigerians speak on whether parties should “impose” leaders for the National […]

The polity has been inundated with issues about where the Senate President and Speaker House of Representatives for the 9th Assembly should come from; with the parties, especially the APC, saying who should emerge and from what political zone. Here, a cross section of Nigerians speak on whether parties should “impose” leaders for the National Assembly.

Unom S. Shiaondo, 53, civil servant, Aso-Mararaba

Well, I think the APC is trying to avoid a repeat of what happened in the 8th Assembly. Similarly, I believe this calculation is about the 2023 general elections because the APC has to sit up to be able to retain power. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong if it is in the interest of the nation because it is incumbent on us to place national interest above all other interests.

Jovita Williams, 27, teacher, Abuja

It is incongruous, hideous and ridiculous for any political party to attempt imposing the leadership of the National Assembly. It should be within the powers and civil obligation of members of both chambers of the National Assembly to determine who leads them through voting. But with the current anointing of Senator Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila as Senate President and Speaker, House of Representatives respectively for the 9th assembly, it is clear that the 2023 battle has commenced.

Churchill Okoro, 28, media practitioner, Benin

The imposition of legislative leaders by parties is a despotic habit and should not be given credence. Nigeria is striving to close its infrastructural gap and bring itself to global benchmark the style adopted by party leaders to compel lawmakers will be injurious to Nigeria’s democracy. National Assembly should decide who its presiding officers become.

Dahiru Hassan Kera, 40, PDP chieftain, Gombe

The manner in which the Senate and the House of Representatives elect their leaders is clearly stated in the standing orders of the National Assembly. The imposition of candidates by any political party is an aberration and violation of such orders. Though, we have seen what happened in the 8th Assembly and if the All Progressives Congress handles the situation with kid gloves, they might end up losing the battle as they did in 2015, because the present permutations shows that the Peoples Democratic Party needs only 11 votes from the APC to lead the Senate. As it stands, APC has 64 senators while 42 belong to the PDP.

Mrs Osamuede Peters, 38, Lawyer, Benin

It is absolutely wrong for party leaders to choose leaders for the National Assembly. There is doctrine of separation of power and if that can’t be adhere to in the place where laws are made then something is totally wrong with the system. People should be allowed to choose leaders who they feel can deliver. Imposition or anointed candidate should be expunged in our country because it is becoming a norm.

Adesina Lukman, 40, politician, Abuja

The party should play an advisory role by urging its members to vote the right person and not to insist on a particular person. Any attempt to insist on a particular personality may lead to disaster or a crack among party members and Nigerians as a whole.
The party has to put into consideration what happened in 2015. I believe no right-thinking Nigerian will want that to happen again – a situation whereby people, who are not loyal to the party, emerged in various capacities in the National Assembly.

Mrs. Chioma Chinedum Ehiaguina, 35, Lawyer, Benin

I don’t think it is right. The assembly knows the strength and weakness of members. So members should choose the persons they think are good. This is an extension of our corrupt system of government where party leaders want to choose the person they can use.

Nafisa Umar Garba, 27, Journalist, Gombe

The APC leadership should avoid imposing the principal officers of the National Assembly. They should allow the legislators to select the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The 109 senators are all matured and know what is good for them and the kind of leader that will preside over their affairs. Therefore, they should not allow party differences to disunite them by going into different factions which at the end will not augur well for the country. Nevertheless, when the 9th Assembly is constituted, they should put the country first by uniting and supporting whoever emerges as the Senate President and Speaker in order to move the country forward.

Mrs Tina Okoi, 42, Founder, Initiative for Youth Transformation and Positive Change, Abuja

I don’t agree that the party should dictate who to vote for. The senators and members should have a say because they are the ones who will work with them. They know people who are capable of leading them. I feel they know better who to pick and not the party. The party can have an input and guide them since they were elected on the platform of the party, but not to impose a leader. My fear is that they should not allow a repeat of what happened in 2015. The lawmakers are going to serve not for personal interests and should elect persons they know that can speak the voice of Nigerians.