The House of Representatives today called for “urgent political solutions” to the turbulence in the polity, arising from the prosecution of the embattled President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, for alleged false assets declaration.
The House claimed it noticed possible dangers to democracy in the development and advised the parties involved to opt for political solutions.
The House passed the resolution following a proposal by House Majority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor.
The proposal specifically called on the “leadership of the House” under the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, to intervene in the issue by seeking audience with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss possible political solutions.
It added in part, “The House mandates the leadership of the House to meet with the President with a view to politically resolve all outstanding issues relating to National Assembly in the interest of Nigerians.
“Mandates the Speaker to intervene in the present issues and challenges being faced by the Chairman of the National Assembly (Saraki) with a view to finding a political solution and protecting the institution of the National Assembly as a whole for the interest of our democracy.”
As stated by Ogor, the legislature remains the mainstay of democracy, arguing that whenever the institution is “rubbished”, democracy itself comes under threat.
Ogor’s proposal, which was an amendment to a motion on Nigeria’s 55th independence anniversary, was endorsed in a majority voice vote.
The session was presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara.
The original motion on independence was moved by a member from Imo State, Mr. Nna Igbokwe.
He had expressed concern that political, ethnic and religious interests now preoccupied the citizenry as against building a united country.
Igbokwe urged the country’s leaders to work hard to take it back to the “good old days.”
Members, while contributing to the motion, asked the Federal Government to dedicate the country’s 55th independence anniversary to the victims of the atrocities caused by Boko Haram insurgents.
They called on the government to remember the plight of abducted Nigerians, orphaned children and the thousands displaced internally, by bringing succour to them.
“We must remember these orphans and many who are held in captivity. There has to be a solution; I particularly want to commend the Nigerian Army for the gallantry of its men so far,” Mrs. Aisha Dukku, stated on the floor of the House.