CUPP advises federal lawmakers not to be influenced by office benefits

On Tuesday, the Coalition of United Political Parties congratulated the members of the 10th National Assembly on their successful inauguration and referred to it as a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic process.

The organisation urged them to innovate and be creative when making laws in a way that would demonstrate competence and be a clear break from the rubber stamp nomenclature of the past.

According to the group, Nigeria can no longer afford a status quo approach to governance and needs to make a radical change from a sluggish leadership that is held captive by forces hostile to the security of the nation and the well-being of Nigerians.

The coalition advised them in a statement by Mark Adebayo, a national co-spokesperson, that they should never let the privileges and perks of office separate them from the realities of the people.

As the 10th National Assembly was formally inaugurated today, he declared, “Nigeria’s democracy has reached another significant turning point. It is a well-known fact that the legislature is an essential branch of government in every democracy because it serves as a forum for the people’s elected officials to discuss and enact laws that directly affect the lives of Nigerians and the future of the nation.

While we congratulate the Distinguished Senators and the Honourable members of the House of Representatives on their successful inauguration today, we implore them to keep in mind the fundamental goals of their mandate, which is to promote the welfare of their constituents as a whole. We implore them to uphold the hopes and expectations of the Nigerian people when enacting laws and performing other legislative duties rather than succumbing to the pressures of political correctness at the expense of the majority of Nigerians.

“Let Nigerians see you as their true representatives—people who are sensitive to their suffering, cognizant of their difficulties, and determined to provide them with effective representation that will ease their problems and uphold their hopes for a better life and future.

“We urge you to innovate and be creative when enacting laws in a way that demonstrates competence and marks a significant departure from the rubber stamp terminology of the past. Let your patriotism take precedence over your politics. Put Nigerians’ needs ahead of your political allegiances. Do not let your feelings override your sense of justice.

Keep your eyes and ears open to the needs and aspirations of Nigerians. Never let the benefits and privileges of your job separate you from the realities of the people you are supposed to be representing. Your performance on that task will determine how well you managed the 10th National Assembly as a whole and how well you did overall in terms of the national scorecard.

“Nigeria can no longer afford to approach governance in the same way it has in the past. We need a radical change from the sluggish leadership that is being held captive by forces hostile to the security and well-being of Nigerians. To rescue Nigeria from her multifaceted poverty, protracted stagnation, and shameful regression, concerted efforts are now needed.

“The CUPP shall continue to be steadfast in its oversight of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, and shall not be averse to calling the appropriate agencies and organs of government to order when warranted. We will make sure to be motivated by a patriotic commitment to Nigeria’s and Nigerians’ collective welfare as we carry out these demanding opposition activism.

“We will guard shrewdly against frivolity and handle matters with diligence and sophisticated professionalism based on the firm foundation of facts and intellectual chef-d’oeuvre that offer solutions at all times. We will continue to be dedicated to Nigeria’s advancement and development.