The swearing-in of National Assembly(NASS) members and the subsequent elections of the principal officers Senate President, Deputy Senate President and the Speaker of the House Reps with his Deputy, took place to the admiration of All Progressives Congress(APC) faithfuls and lovers of democracy worldwide.
It was an act in which democracy was seen in full glare by a viewing public. The elected officers in order to optimally discharge the onerous responsibilities placed on them by other members and Nigerians are expected to appoint some aides.
The Senate President has since appointed his Chief of Staff and the deputy. The speaker of the House of Reps also appointed some aides amongst whom is, to the disbelief of Edo APC members, Friday ITULAH. Friday ITULAH is a known PDP member of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s group. A group that was committed to the total annihilation of any Edo citizen or resident that professed APC membership.
In the runs to the various elections that recently took place in Nigeria, APC leaders had unequivocally told members of the party that a proper reward mechanism had been put in place for committed members who work for the electoral victories of the party.
To underscore this fact, the party and voters’ cards, the polling unit and constituency results of any member considered for appointment is said to must be submitted and screened. It was also said that all recommendations for appointment, no matter how small, must be routed through the party leader, in the case of Edo state, Senator Adams Oshiomhole. It is therefore troubling for Edo APC members to witness the first appointment coming from the Speaker being given to Friday ITULAH who assisted in harassing, bruising, arresting and humiliating APC members in the runs to the election. He is a regular face in court in PDP( Atiku’s) legal onslaught against the APC President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It is demoralizing , disillusioning and by extension traumatizing,and a clear slap on the face saying that party members should not expect anything tangible for all their Labour. Those that put their lives on the line to achieve success of the party are already being neglected for political enemies.
It is sickening when thinking of what consideration that may have led to the HOR speaker’s appointment of Friday Itulah. If as a former legislator, there are several Edo APC legislators both at the National and state levels. Intellectually, there are far more erudite members of APC than Itulah. Character wise, ITULAH has nothing remarkable or of note till date.
The governorship election is fast approaching, Governor Obaseki is on a roll and ready to decimate anybody that stands on his way to produce his own successor. This is the time, people thought, that APC members could be assured that there is something in the party for them if they stretch out their necks to take any blow for the party. There is already complaints, likely docility from members in view of the speaker’s action.
Itulah’s appointment is provocative and portends a dangerous signal to APC faithfuls in Edo state. This appointment can be withdrawn and leaders adequately consulted for a replacement . This is not too big to do for the party to remain strong and united.
@Jarret Tenebe, Vice Chairman All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State
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