The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the inauguration of a few members of the Edo and Bauchi states House of Assembly, describing supposed election of principal officers behind closed doors as a joke and an embarrassment to Democratic practices.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the party asked the governors of the two states to issue what it called a proper letter of proclamation for the inauguration of the state assemblies.
The party disclosed that every elected member of the state assemblies is entitled to participate in the inauguration and election of the principle officers of the state assemblies.
The statement reads: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) condemns the charade being presented as the inauguration of new State Houses of Assembly in Edo and Bauchi States.
“We viewed this illegality with shock and disappointment. As a party that has made a commitment to change, we strongly reject any attempt to take recourse to brigandage of the past, when democratic practices were defined by the inordinate whims of people in power. Democracy must be governed by the rule of law.
“A situation where 11 lawmakers in the 31-member Bauchi State House of Assembly and nine lawmakers in the 24-member Edo State House of Assembly were secretly ‘inaugurated’ and purportedly ‘elect’ principal officers behind closed doors is a joke and an embarrassment.
“It is an unfortunate reminder of PDP’s queer brand of democracy. Practices like this are unacceptable under APC-led administration. As a party that is committed to higher ideals, we would use all democratic means necessary to ensure the right thing is done.
Scannews
