The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday rose in defence of its members who were present at the plenary when Senate commenced screening of the Service Chiefs.
Contrary to media reports that members flouted the order of the leadership that they should block all Executive Bills, APC said the directive does not mean they should boycott the plenary.
According to a statement issued by APC Interim National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, carrying out the directive can only be effective when members are present at deliberation on such bills.
The statement reads, “We never directed our members in the National Assembly to boycott the chambers’ sessions, whether it is screening of appointees or plenary. What we said is that they should block Executive Bills. In any case, a Senator or an Honourable member can only filibuster when he is in attendance. Filibuster does not equate to boycott or non-attendance.
“We are sure they will be part of any debate on the issue, and we have no problems with that. After all they were elected to attend the National Assembly sessions and fully participate in its activities. But their contributions will help swing things one way or the other. That is the crux of the matter.
“It was the National Assembly that passed the resolutions on the redeployment of Mbu. Members of the PDP, APGA, Labour Party, Accord Party, who are now playing to the gallery just to feather their own nest and place personal interest above national interest, were part of the efforts that culminated in passing the resolutions in both chambers.
“But the Presidency simply ignored the resolutions, a dangerous trend that will make nonsense of the principle of check and balance in our democratic system and also encourage the President to flout future resolutions.
”In this respect, the National Assembly itself should own and commend our directive, instead of a few exhibitionist legislators rushing to the media to make uninformed comments. As far as we are concerned, we acted rightly in issuing our directive, which is meant to end the impunity in Rivers, save our democracy from descending into anarchy and protect national institutions which are being rubbished and manipulated by the Presidency”.
