10th Assembly leadership tussle:Group cautions against undue external interference

The Parliamentary Advocacy Network (PAN), a Civil Society Organisation, has cautioned against undue interference in the ongoing process to choose leadership of the 10th National Assembly.

PAN National Coordinator, Mr Anderson Osiebe, said this at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the Legislature is an independent arm of government recognised by the 1999 Constitution and should be allowed to follow its rule in electing principal officers.

The national coordinator called on lawmakers-elect to resist all attempts to bend the rules.

“After 24 years of practising our kind of constitutional democracy, the legislature has come a long way and retains at all levels its independence and financial autonomy.

“We therefore urge lawmakers-elect never to be intimidated or muscled by any threats emanating from any quarter or from their proxies.

“We therefore urge lawmakers-elect to take the destiny of the National Assembly as freely entrusted onto them by Nigerians in their on hands.

Osiebe further said an independent, people -oriented, progressive legislature could only be achieved through equitable, balanced, fair and competent leadership at the National Assembly.

He also said there was a need for the lawmakers-elect to reflect independence, competence and continuous preservation of the institutional memory of the legislature.

He thanked the media for the support received in the course of our various advocacies.