Coup Will Be Resisted In Nigeria-Tinubu

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Sen. Bola Tinubu has hailed the Lagos State House of Assembly for prioritising welfare of Lagosians since the return of democracy.

Tinubu gave the commendation at the Lagos Assembly Special Parliamentary Session held to celebrate Lagos at 50 and Second Anniversary of the 8th Assembly as well as the official inauguration of L-Shaped Assembly Complex.

The former Lagos State governor, however, warned that the state and indeed the country would resist any attempt by the military to take over government in Nigeria.

He made this statement against the backdrop of a recent coup rumour in Nigeria, adding that democracy has come to stay in the country.

“Coup plotters would find no fertile ground to plant their seed in the land. Whatever they want to sell is a bad product. We are going to reject it; we are going to resist it. They should not try it,” he said.

He said that the state legislature had contributed immensely to the growth and development of Lagos through good laws and authorising the activities of government.

“Thank you (lawmakers) for the great job that you are doing in Lagos. It is clear that the welfare of the people is a priority to you.

“Legislature is vital to the welfare of the people; the good laws made here have improved the living standard of the people. It is these laws passed by this House that the executive acts on.

“All the executive actions must have the authority of the law. The power of legislature must be exercised within the contest of the people’s desire and what they deserve.

“Most of these successes in Lagos are based on the enlightened and wise laws you made. Lagos Assembly has done well, I am asking you to do more,,” Tinubu said.

The former governor of the state, however, said that there was need for partnership and collaboration between the legislature and the executive for the people to reap the fruits of good governance.

Tinubu, notwithstanding, described Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as “a wonder boy” based on his performances within two years.

The APC National Leader, who called for cooperation between the legislature and executive, said that such cooperation should not stop or negative oversights of executive responsibility of the lawmakers.

Tinubu, who highlighted several laws enacted by the assembly, said that progress of the state is based on the cooperation among organs of government.

According to him, previous administrations, including the one he led between 1999 and 2007 in the state, laid foundation and set agenda for the progress being celebrated in the state.

He said that Lagos remains the fountains of activities and commended the House for people-oriented laws and oversights.

In his remarks, Governor Akinwunmi Abode said that the 8th Assembly success story of Lagos could not be well documented without the effort of the legislature.

Ambode urged the House to continue to be relevant by raising the standards of legislative performance.

Meanwhile, Senator Adeola Olamilekan, representing Lagos West Senatorial District, lauded the harmonious relationship between the executive and legislature in the state.

Olamilekan, who noted that the APC-led government was doing well at the National level with Anti-corruption war yielding results, commended Abode for judicious application of funds for the good of residents.

In his remarks at the event, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, the Majority Leader, House of Representatives, likened the relationship between legislature and constituents to that of marriage.

Gbajabiamila lamented that the constituents were more interested in material things rather than good representation, on the floor of the House.

Speaking as a guest speaker during the event, the Director of the Kenyan School of Law, Nairobi, Professor Patrick Lumumba stressed that the legislature occupies a unique position in the country.

Lumumba, who spoke on the topic, “The Importance of the Legislature In Democratic Governance,” emphasised that the nation or state could survive a bad executive, bad judiciary, but not a bad legislature.

“Beyond your important titles, how are you serving Lagos, how have you served Lagos. What would be said of you, when you are gone or even as you are alive.

“You are never successful until you go down into the grave with success. Those who acquire power must exercise it with humility. Before you drink the gin of political power, you must have a foundation of integrity,” he said.

The scholar said further that it should be noted that Nigeria adopted democracy in 1979, but that the democracy the country is practising was not home-grown and that it is Euro-centric.

He said that the nation’s democracy could be customized to achieve the aspirations of the country, saying that the relationship among the legislative, executive and the judiciary must be symbiotic.

The legislature, he stated, represents the people and that it is a privilege to honour and represent the people.

“Those, who steal public funds abuse the power given to them by the people. The legislature is the heart of the people. On a mere allegation of corruption, the legislature brought down the government of South Korea and the same thing happened in Brazil.

“But here in Nigeria and Africa, does the legislature bring thieves down? If Nigeria is to be great, you legislators must make solemn vow that you would make laws that would benefit the people. Make laws that would serve the people and the country.

“Nigeria can be great if you make a solemn vow that you would be greater than Dubai and Singapore, ” he said.

Earlier in his speech, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa said that the Assembly has contributed so much to the much-touted success of Lagos with so many things to showcase.

Obasa, who called for the strengthening of institutions, urged Nigerians to respect institutions and advised public office holders to be disciplined, selfless and be above board.