11th June, 2015
The National Secretary of Labour Party (LP), Mr Kayode Ajulo, says the emergence of Bukola Saraki as Senate President, is a manifestation of the rule of law.
Ajulo told NAN in Abuja on Thursday that the process which led to the election of the Senate’s presiding officers was in line with the provisions of the Constitution.
He added that the development demonstrated that the era where a few individuals in a political party exerted overbearing control over majority of the members was over.
“This development is significant because it is a battle between the proponents of the rule of law and proponents of the whims and caprices of individuals.
“A few individuals always believe that they would always have their way over the popular majority. But they have been proved wrong.
“This is what a political party has caused itself because it chose to get some of its lawmakers to a meeting outside at the expense of inauguration which had constitutional proclamation,” he said.
Ajulo faulted the lawmakers who went for a meeting outside the National Assembly.
“Theyr deluding themselves that the inauguration would have been shifted to enable them to honour party directive.’’
He said the outcome of the election would serve as a lesson to political parties to know the limit of their powers.
“They went away on their own will thinking that the inauguration, which had presidential proclamation, would be put on hold.
“Political parties can meet in caucuses but cannot impose their directives on others. Members of the National Assembly should decide who presides over them.”
Mr Abang Odok-Ogar, a human rights lawyer, said the outcome of the election of presiding officers of the National Assembly was a demonstration of the new democratic spirit in the country.
“That is a demonstration of pure maturity. It is a practical example of the kind of leadership we should expect from the new president.
“This will usher in a respectable executive-legislature relation.
“As long as the president adheres to democratic tenets in discharge of his statutory functions, the legislature would cooperate with the executive to deliver good governance.”
NAN recalls that Saraki became Senate President unopposed while Rep. Yakubu Dogara defeated Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila to emerge as the Speaker, House of Representatives, on June 9.