Bitterness, Squabbles Costing APC Governorship, Legislative Seats – Buhari

– Inaugurates Consultative Committee To Reduce Acrimony In Govt

President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday that the ruling All Progressives Congress must learn to consult widely in order to reduce internal squabbles within the party and the government.

He noted that consultations would help to strengthen its internal democracy and position the party to continue to win elections.

Buhari, who spoke in Abuja during the inauguration of the Tripartite Consultative Committee of the Executive, Legislature and Leadership of the APC at the Presidential Villa, noted that internal squabbles had so far cost the party governorship and legislative seats in some states.

“We must admit to ourselves that our party has been too often embroiled in bitter and on occasions, totally unnecessary squabbles costing us seats in legislative and gubernatorial elections.

“These never should have happened. We are here to make sure such occurrences do not happen again. We must now ensure regular consultations between the party and the governments”, he said.

For instance, he said the APC, being the party commanding the majority in the National Assembly, should easily influence decisions in favour of the policies of government.

However, he admitted that so far, the National Assembly and the Presidency had not had a reason to quarrel, urging the lawmakers to keep the cordiality that way.

Buhari went on, “Let me welcome all of you to this first Consultative Committee of the APC, our members of the National Assembly and the Executive.

“Our party commands a clear majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Vice-President, the distinguished Senate President, the Right Honourable Speaker and I all belong to APC and the working relationships between the Executive and the Legislative have been excellent so far.

“Our joint responsibility is to keep things that way and see where we can improve our communication and coordination.”

He added, “I am a firm believer in the doctrine of the Separation of Powers, which is fundamental to our constitutional democracy. But our practice should be harmonious checks and balances devoid of bitterness and petty rivalry.”

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, gave the names of members of the committee.

They are Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Chairman; Senate President, Ahmed Ibrahim Lawal; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege; Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase; Governor of Yobe State/Chairman, APC Caretaker Committee, Mai Mala Buni; Senate Majority Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi; and House Majority  Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa.

The list includes the Attorney-General/Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Gida Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari; and Secretary, APC Caretaker Committee, Senator Akpan Udoedehe.

Lawan and Gbajabiamila, while commenting on the development, agreed that the idea of consultations would enhance harmony in government.

The Senate President said, ” The essence of this consultative forum is for governance to be enhanced.

“The legislature, the executive arm of government and of course the party in power, have seen the need to bring everybody on board so that we are able to consult widely before major issues are tabled before the citizens of this country.

“Specifically, what we intend to achieve is to improve the quality of governance and service delivery to Nigerians. “

On his part, Gbajabiamila noted, “You cannot be in government and not speak with one voice; that’s discordant tunes, and whether it is taking five years or 10 years, there have been a lot of issues.

“Moving forward, there will be wrinkles in a democracy, there will be a tug of war here and there, especially when you have opposition and when you are in a constitutional democracy.

“So, we have to ensure as a party that we speak with one voice without sacrificing constitutional responsibilities, principles of checks and balances and separation of powers.”