The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Chief Osita Okechukwu, says Sen. Ahmad Lawan and Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila being Senate President and Speaker, House of Representatives would bring progress to National Assembly.
Okechukwu, who said this on Sunday while speaking with newsmen at Nkerifi community in Nkanu East Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State, confirmed that the duo were favourites of President Muhammadu Buhari and APC leadership.
According to him, without prejudice to the zoning convention, Lawan and Gbajabiamila have paid their dues in the progressive camp.
“They have been consistent, steadfast and have persevered in the struggle which made our victory possible.
“They are our arrowhead in the National Assembly,’’ Okechukwu, who is a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ardent support of President Muhammadu Buhari for over 20 years, said.
On complain by other senators that method adopted by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of APC, lacked finesse and is less than democratic, Okechukwu appealed to APC bigwigs to support Buhari’s wish for the National Assembly to stand.
“May I use this golden opportunity to appeal to my dear friend distinguished Sen. Ali Ndume; my big brother, Sen. Orji Kalu, and indeed distinguished Senators and members of political parties to support Buhari in his last leg.
“They should faithfully allow Buhari’s proposal as per the leadership of the National Assembly to stand.
“Please leave Comrade Chairman’s political correctness out of the equation, for in the fullness of time the administration will be remembered as Buhari’s administration, not Oshiomhole’s administration,’’ he said.
Okechukwu, however, noted that he is a supporter of robust legislature, which the experience and diligence of Lawan and Gbajabiamila would bring to the table.
“Any day any time, one is an avid supporter of robust legislature, that is why I support the independence of State Houses of Assembly. Luckily, Buhari has placed independence of State Assembly on the front burner.
“All one is saying is that with mounting gross unemployment, broken infrastructure and high despondency in the land, Buhari needs all hands on deck to consolidate the development of critical infrastructure he has embarked upon.
“He needs seamless legislation to advance the 5,000 kilometers of federal roads, 5,000 kilometers of Standard Gauge Rail lines and additional 5,000 megawatts of electricity.
“The sage says once beaten twice shy, he was stung in his first term,’’ he said.
