Atiku warns against rubberstamping NASS, faults Tinubu on subsidy removal

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 election, has urged newly elected PDP National Assembly members to carry out their duties in accordance with the Constitution.

Additionally, he urged them not to support “those who may want to rule as dictators” or the “rubber-stamp legislative arm.”

The former vice president urged elected members of the National Assembly to remember that their primary responsibility as members of the opposition was holding the current administration accountable while addressing them at a one-day retreat on Saturday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Bauchi.

He claimed that by doing this, they would be able to prove that their party was prepared to take office as soon as possible.

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“Our party ran on a platform of specific programmes and policies, so keep in mind that laws must reflect the promises we made to Nigerians, and that they expect you to do the same in your work as National Assembly members. It is insufficient to say that you are not currently a member of the governing party that INEC chose.

He instructed them to work together to influence the interim administration to pursue policies and initiatives that would benefit Nigerians.

“You shouldn’t be a part of the rubber-stamp legislative branch or those who might want to rule as autocrats,” he continued. You should work to ensure the continued existence of our democratic system.

“As you are aware, the PDP continues to be the only genuine political party that is controlled by its members as opposed to one or more godfathers. No single group of PDP members is greater, superior, or more significant than the party.

“In your communities, you serve as the party’s representatives. Don’t try to leave your party because of a temporary setback that INEC caused. In the end, truth and goodness will prevail over lies and evil.

Therefore, I ask that you maintain your resolve and refrain from working alone. You should always work together as a team if you want to produce significant results and keep ties to your constituencies and other stakeholders, who are your roots.

Atiku said, sounding upbeat about the party’s case before the Presidential Election Petition Court.

“Our members-elect are not the majority in the National Assembly, according to the results declared by INEC, and this situation is still unresolved pending the outcome of the legal challenges.

Therefore, they must make plans to serve as a strong, positive opposition while also getting ready for potential roles as the majority party once the cases are resolved. Don’t just give up on hope.

The Turakin Adamawa claimed that by eliminating the fuel subsidy without providing relief for those affected, the Federal Government had put the people through unspeakable hardship.

Let me just mention the recently announced elimination of fuel subsidies. I served as committee chair during the PDP government’s 1999–2007 removal of petroleum subsidies. We removed subsidies in two phases, but only after giving palliatives to those who would be most negatively impacted, he continued.

Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, has been chosen to lead the PDP Governors’ Forum.

At the conclusion of a closed-door meeting of the governors held on Saturday at the office of the governor of Bauchi, Adamawa State Governor Umaru Fintiri said Mohammed would replace Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, while Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara was chosen as the vice chairman of the forum.