Senator Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central, has expressed concerns regarding the potential outcome if the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) secures the position of Minority Leader in the National Assembly. Sani shared his apprehension during an interview with Arise Television on Monday. According to him, such a development would effectively cripple opposition parties like the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party.
Sani emphasized that the indication he perceives is that the APC intends to appoint a Minority Leader who will essentially be a puppet of the ruling party. He believes that if this were to happen, it would signify the demise of the PDP as the primary opposition force within the National Assembly. He also noted that the PDP has relinquished its responsibility as the main opposition to the Labour Party, which is why the latter appears to be more vocal in opposition activities currently.
The senator stressed the importance of preserving the independence and dignity of the National Assembly, stating that these qualities are intrinsically linked to the parliament's ability to function autonomously. Sani expressed concerns that if the APC were to dominate all aspects of the assembly, without a genuine opposition, the overall independence of the institution would be compromised.
In a parliamentary system, the role of the Minority Leader is akin to that of an alternative government. Sani argued that it would be more beneficial for the country if the Minority Leader fulfilled the role of a genuine opposition, rather than merely aligning with the ruling party. He suggested that a robust opposition, even within the minority, is vital for a healthy democratic system.
It is worth noting that in the 10th Senate, Godswill Akpabio and Jibrin Barau were elected as Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively. Meanwhile, Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu emerged as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State and a one-time Senate Minority Leader, secured victory after a tough contest, while Abbas achieved a landslide victory over his two opponents. Barau and Kalu, on the other hand, emerged unopposed in their respective positions.
During the Senate election, which involved all 109 senators, Akpabio received 63 votes, surpassing Senator Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, who obtained 46 votes. In the House of Representatives, Abbas garnered support from 353 out of the 359 lawmakers who were present for the inauguration, while his challengers, Idris Wase and Aminu Jaji, each received three votes.
