Tinubu finally opens up on National Assembly leadership tussle, his alleged interference

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, April 21, denied any ulterior motive concerning his alleged roles in the tussle for the leadership of the ninth National Assembly.

Tinubu said in a statement by his media office that all he has done concerning the impending election of presiding officers of the National Assembly is to support the positions of the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari.

The statement made available to Legit.ng quoted the former governor of Lagos state said in supporting the decisions of the president and the APC, he had no ulterior motives.

READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda

The national leader emphasised that his mind, heart and efforts are focused on backing the APC and President Buhari in achieving their shared vision of a flourishing economy and a prosperous people.

Tinubu, who was responding to news reports that he was meddling in the APC’s nomination process to National Assembly leadership positions in order to position himself for a presidential run in 2023, said he would have committed a terrible blunder by navigating against the Buhari's position.

According to the APC leader, those who cast aspersions at him were in reality bucking against the stated position of President Buhari.

Tinubu also urged rumour-mongers to court greater discipline and wisdom as, according to him, there is no action a person can take that constitutes a political guarantee as to what may come four years from now.

The politician dismissed the claim that having allies in the National Assembly leadership positions will greatly enhance someone’s presidential ambitions as spurious.

“Asiwaju is neither inclined, nor sufficiently naïve, to take his eye off the present in the futile attempt to peer through the thick fog that is the future," he said.

Tinubu, who noted that the National Assembly positions are important to the fulfillment of the president’s agenda, lamented that a painful lesson was learnt in this respect in the last four years.

“With the Senate leadership usurped by regressive elitists that chamber constituted a brake on progress and good governance.

“The Senate leadership, and to a lesser degree the House leadership, stymied APC legislative initiatives while attempting to hoist noxious, reactionary and self-interested legislation on the nation,” he said.

He accused the outgoing Senate president, Bukola Saraki, and the House of Representatives speaker, Yakubu Dogara, and their allies of highjacking the budget process since 2015..

“National budgets were delayed and distorted as these actors repeatedly sought to pad budgets with pet projects that would profit them.

“Even worse, they cut funds intended to prosper projects that would have benefitted the average person. After four years of their antics halting the progress of government, we should do all we can to prevent a repeat of their malign control of the National Assembly,” he added.

He noted that in 2015, Senator Saraki finagled his way into the senate presidency.

“He planted himself at the apex of legislative power. But his actions as Senate president showed a man devoid of compassion for the average Nigerian. All he cared for was power and position.

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app

“Soon he will be deprived of both. House Speaker Dogara has fared only slightly better. Occupying these positions is not a guarantee of future success. It is only a guarantee of present duty," he said.

Asiwaju said he had shown his commitment to achieving the president’s goals for supporting the president.

Legit.ng earlier reported that there may be tougher days ahead for Femi Gbajabiamila, the member of the House of Representatives from Lagos state seeking the position of speaker at the ninth National Assembly, following the refusal of his colleagues from the north central to obey the party's decision.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better.

Nigerians set 2nd term agenda for President Buhari | Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng