- The Chairman of the Forum of First-Time House of Representative Members-Elect, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has pledged to mobilise his 203 colleagues to support President Muhammadu Buhari to achieve his true federalism agenda for the country.
The Chairman of the Forum of First-Time House of Representative Members-Elect, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has pledged to mobilise his 203 colleagues to support President Muhammadu Buhari to achieve his true federalism agenda for the country.
Buhari had penultimate week expressed his administration’s determination to ensure that the country practise true federalism.
Tunji-Ojo, who spoke with our correspondent in Abuja on Monday, noted that true federalism was in line with the restructuring agenda of the All Progressives Congress as contained in the party’s manifesto.
The lawmaker-elect said, “It is not true that the APC is against true federalism. To start with, the position of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit couldn’t have been effective without the backing of the ruling party.
“Now under the APC, the local government officials would be getting their allocation directly from the Federal Government. Also, under the APC national government, states got licences to develop mineral resources which were hitherto under the exclusive list.
“We have a major role to play in the ninth National Assembly to ensure that the nation embraces true federalism. My colleagues, as part of our plans, will look critically into it to ensure that Nigeria is not just run like a unitary state but we must empower our federating unit.
“We will use our population and influence to ensure that the ninth National Assembly works with Mr President through the process of constitutional amendment to achieve the laudable objective.
“There is need to reduce the tension in the country, improve security, boost the economy and generate employment by empowering the federating units.”
Tunji-Ojo described as untrue, some media reports that the candidate of the APC for the position of Speaker of the Ninth House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, bribed newly-elected lawmakers with money and phones to earn their support.
He added, “We did not make any personal demand from Gbajabiamila because we trust him and we believe in his ability to successfully lead the Ninth House of Representatives.
“We were elected by our constituents to represent them, so we need to support a leader who will make it possible for us to come up with legislations that would help us to address the challenges of our people.
“It is not correct that Gbajabiamila bribed lawmakers with money and phones. The phones came with a Close User Group lines and it was donated to all the new members by a first-time member, Ugonna Ozurigbo, who is the incumbent Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly.
“He runs a telecommunications company and it was his opinion that members should have a CUG line to ensure smooth and effective communications among members. Every new member at the meeting including Gbajabiamila got a phone each.”
Tunji-Ojo also said that all the 203 newly-elected House of Representatives members would insist on open ballot to elect the presiding officers of the Ninth National Assembly inauguration in June.
He added, “Every member of our constituency has the right to know who we voted for because we are representing them. We must learn to open the system by being transparent and accountable.
“We are seriously agitating for open ballot. Our people should also be able to know our position on any national issue.
“It is ideal for the beauty of democracy and for the preservation of the hallowed chamber, the open ballot should be given a place of priority in our process.”
