Ali Ndume, former senate leader has gone ahead to unveil his nine points agender, daring the leaders of the All Progressives Congress(APC), including president Buhari.
Mr Ndume on Tuesday reeled out his nine points agender if elected as the next Senate president on 9th of June, despite the fact that APC had endorsed Senate leader, Ahmad Lawan, as the next Senate President.
In a copy of document made available to Punch Newspaper, Mr Ndume promised to improve the performance of the 8 Senate, by making the office of the Senate president less attractive, reducing unnecessary privileges attached to it.
Also among his promises is, pledging to uphold the independence of the legislature, expressing his willingness to "work harmoniously and interdependently with the executive without undermining the principles of separation of powers."
He also promised to ensure passage of Constituency project bill, to make constituency project more transparent, accountable, efficient and effective.
He also added, "We will make laws that will block leakages devise improved means of generating revenue, especially through the amendment and review of our tax laws which will help to reduce reliance on local and foreign loans to finance budget.
“We will run the 9th Senate transparently, through open accountability with full participation of all senators .For example, we will transfer the approving powers of the privileges of the senators like foreign travels, allowances to Senate services committee or a new committee to be known as “ways and means committee.”
Mr Ndume reacting to the statement made by the APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, that senate leader, Ahmed Lawan has been endorsed by the APC as the next Senate president, Mr Ndume said that Mr Oshiomhole made his choice without the backing of the party.
Lanre Isa-Onilu, APC's spokesperson expressed his disagreement with Mr Ndume's decision saying, “The ticket he (Ndume) is holding belongs to the APC and he cannot go and work with the opposition to give what belongs to the APC to the opposition, like it happened in 2015 when the position of the Deputy Senate President was given to the opposition by some desperate former members of the APC.
“Ndume will be wrong to be calling out the party’s national chairman. The national chairman spoke on behalf of the party. And when we talk of the party in this instance, it is not just about the NWC.
“The President (Muhammadu Buhari) was there when he said it. He did not say anything that the President was not aware of. He did not say anything that the leaders of the APC are not already part of.”
Mr Onilu expressed strong hope that since the issue is an inter party problem, party hierarchy would meet and take decision on Ndume's declaration.
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