Strong opposition, panacea against impunity in democracy –Saraki tells visiting Ugandan lawmakers

*As South-East NASS Caucus Rejects Branding Of IPOB Terrorist Group

Deputy Senate president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has said “effective and responsible” opposition can help to check impunity by any government while also helping to deepen democracy.

Ekweremadu made this known when he received a delegation of the opposition from the Parliament of Uganda.

He represented the Senate President Bukola Saraki who was not on ground to receive the visiting Ugandan Parliamentarian.

He said the Peoples Democratic Party has been convincing in its role as opposition in Nigeria’s democracy, attributing the feat to the experiences by members in democratic practice.

The visiting Ugandan parliamentarians have been in Nigeria for a week-long capacity building programme at the National Institute for Legislative Studies in Abuja.

The Deputy Senate President, however, warned against “reckless opposition” which he said is capable of slowing down government and the delivery of democratic dividends to the people.

“When you are outside government, you will see things differently; but when you are given the mandate to lead, you will see that it is not as easy as you assumed.

“In Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party tries to show some understanding without compromising our role because we have been in government and know the challenges importantly.

“We also understand that at the end of the day, what the people care about is good governance and a better standard of living, irrespective of party affiliation.

“Whether you are in the ruling party or opposition; or you are in the executive, judiciary or legislature, you have your primary responsibility to the people. In that manner, you don’t just oppose government for the sake of opposing government.

“You have to draw a line between criticising government where you have to criticise government and supporting it where you have to support it. You have to oppose government constructively in such a way as to bring about more benefits to the ordinary people.”

In another development, the south East Caucus of the National Assembly has rejected the branding of IPOB as a militant terrorist organisation without recourse to due process.

‎The Lawmakers asked IPOD to suspend all its activities as they seek to engage their counterparts in the National Assembly to address all issues of concerns to IPOB and the people of South east in general.

The Caucus made this known after a meeting in Abuja just as they condemned all acts of terrorism in the country, noting that branding IPOB as a terrorist organisation without following due process foreclose any possible dialogue that would lead to peaceful end of the activities of such group.

The resolution by the caucus was contained in a document made available to correspondents and jointly signed by Chairman of Senate South East Caucus, Senator Enyinayya Abaribe and Hon Chukwuka Onyema‎ who heads the House of Reps southeast caucus‎ respectfully.

The South east national Assembly members called on the government to look into the problems that feeds the never ending agitation by youths of the south east and other geopolitical zones in the country.

They also condemned the use of hate speeches and remarks by anybody and said they affirmed their support for unity of Nigeria anchored on Justice, equality and fair treatment of all parties in Nigeria.‎