In a heated exchange between Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the former issued a stern warning to the latter, cautioning against interference in the affairs of the National Assembly.
The controversy erupted following demands from the PDP for the resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio amidst allegations of budget padding totaling N3.7 trillion. These allegations stemmed from Senator Abdul Ningi’s suspension following his public outcry, which the Senate deemed baseless.
In response to the PDP’s call for Akpabio’s resignation to facilitate an independent investigation, the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, rebuffed the notion, asserting that Akpabio had committed no wrongdoing warranting his removal or referral to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) based on Ningi’s claims.
Morka lambasted the PDP, accusing them of being meddlesome and urged them to focus on rejuvenating their own party rather than meddling in the Senate’s internal affairs. He criticized the PDP’s audacity in dictating the Senate’s proceedings while struggling to manage its own internal governance.
Dismissing the PDP’s allegations of a cover-up in Ningi’s suspension, Morka argued that the Senate had not violated its rules or the Constitution by not referring the matter to a committee. He denounced the PDP’s hypocrisy, citing their tainted history of corruption and questioning their credibility to demand accountability.
In a biting conclusion, Morka urged the PDP to lead by example and adhere to their own calls for accountability, rather than attempting to dictate terms to the Senate. The exchange highlights the ongoing political tensions and power struggles within Nigeria’s legislative landscape, underscoring the complexities of governance in the country’s democratic framework.
