Buhari Not Good Enough To Run Town Union -CUPP

National Chairman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) Ikenga Ugochinyere has called on the 9th National Assembly to assert their independence and prove to Nigerians that they are not “Hallelujah boys to the president.”

Ugochinyere told THE WHISTLER that some political parties came together to stop President Muhammadu Buhari from coming back to power in the last Presidential election but regretted that he returned to power “through manipulation of the electoral process”-a victory which is still being challenged at the tribunal.

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The CUPP chairman said the cries of Nigerians against the misrule of the Buhari was the driving force for his group, stressing that the President was not “good enough to run a town union.”

Speaking on the role of the legislature, he said the new National Assembly owe it a duty to Nigerians to ensure that it maintained its independence and hold the executive accountable.

“They should prove they’re on the side of the people. They should checkmate the executive. I didn’t say they should fight them. There are checks and balances that have to perform. Over one billion have been spent on security and we’re not seeing results. Bandits have taken over our country.

“They should invite the services chiefs and if they are found to have committed any infraction, they should recommend their removal to the President. It is only a responsive and independent parliament that asks question.”

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He expressed doubts over the ability of the 9th NASS to be a check on the executive because of the new leaders of the legislature who he described as “Hallelujah boys” to the President.

“ If they are independent, they should prove it. The first thing they should do is to re-send the amended electoral act back to the president for his accent. It is already a completed job.  After the President has signed it into law, it can be amended in the future.

“The opposition is already hearing rumours that there is a plan by the leadership of the national assembly, under pressure from the presidency, not to re-present the amended electoral act because they want to go to Kogi and Bayelsa elections to re-enact the abracadabra that happened in Rivers.

“We are being told that they want the Kogi election to go with the existing electoral act.  If not why are they not talking about re-presenting it immediately. This is the first thing the parliament should do to convince us that they would be independent.”

Ugochinyere also wants the legislature to resolve the Ibrahim Magu matter and either confirm or remove him as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

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“They should remove Magu or confirm him. His continuing in office without confirmation undermines our constitution which says such appointees must be screened by the senate.

“Also, where not seeing the result of the money spent on agriculture because we’re still importing rice. The lawmakers should look into these things. Only a responsive and independent legislature ask questions.”

He however expressed confidence that the adopted presidential candidate of the CUPP in the last election, Atiku Abubakar, would get victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

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