10th NASS: APC group tells Tinubu to remain impartial

In an effort to avoid the mistakes of 2015, a pressure group within the All Progressives Congress operating under the banner of Renewed Hope Professionals called on Bola Tinubu, the president-elect, to remain impartial during the election for the 10th National Assembly’s leadership positions on Sunday.

The group, which was responding to allegations of efforts to endorse candidates for important Senate and House of Representatives positions, cautioned that any attempt by Tinubu to display partisanship would be ineffective.

The RHP’s national coordinator, Kinu Kabirwa, issued the warning in a statement. In it, he stated that he had to remain impartial because the freedom of choice is the very foundation of a strong democracy, and that “the imposition of candidates by those in positions of authority has led to a legitimacy crisis in the country since the return to democracy in 1999.”

Taking sides in the National Assembly’s leadership, he warned, “could compromise lawmakers’ ability to perform their duties and undermine the system of checks and balances, robbing the incoming administration of legitimacy and the healing that the nation so desperately needs.”

He claimed that as a supporter of competitive democracy, the incoming president must exhibit an unwavering dedication to ensuring equal opportunity for all competitors.

In the words of Kabirwa, “The Parliament operates on the principle of first among equals and any attempt to impose any form of leadership upon members may be counterproductive.

“Under the direction of His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, the APC set a strong example in the primaries that resulted in the President-elect being chosen as the party’s flagbearer. When Mr. President insisted on a level playing field for all candidates, the world was introduced to the beauty of progressive politics. We must not renege on this admirable legacy.

“The President-elect must be viewed as a devout democrat who upholds the separation of powers doctrine, which is a cornerstone of the presidential system of government and a tenet of most democratic systems.

To keep this balance, the President-elect must refrain from interfering with the activities of the National Assembly.

The President must maintain his neutrality in order to guarantee that the National Assembly operates independently and without interference from outside sources.

The constitution establishes a system of checks and balances that enables each branch of government to oversee and control the others in order to prevent any one branch from acquiring excessive power.

“In conclusion, the President-elect must uphold the principles of democracy and maintain his neutrality to ensure the smooth operation of the new administration.

In order to establish credibility and prevent conflict and division that might make it difficult for the government to pass laws and deal with pressing issues, it is crucial for the incoming president to do this. This call for impartiality in the 10th National Assembly leadership contest should be heeded by the President-elect.