2 months ago
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House of Reps Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen.
In a move that has sparked intense controversy within the ruling All Progressives Congress, Mr Taslim Dan-Wanki, a chieftain of the party, has raised concerns over recent appointments made by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
The APC chieftain decried the decision of Abbas to appoint over 600 members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party as Senior Legislative Aides, questioning the political wisdom and loyalty behind such appointments.
Arewa PUNCH reports that Dan-Wanki, known for his strong advocacy for party unity and loyalty, voiced his concerns via a statement, adding that the appointments have not only alienated key APC stakeholders but also potentially weakened the party’s position in the National Assembly.
According to Dan wanki, “appointing members from the opposition party to strategic legislative positions could compromise the APC’s ability to effectively push its agenda through the legislature.”
While further warning that such appointments, if left unchecked, could further fragment the APC and reduce the party’s influence in the nation’s legislative affairs, Dan wanki described the Speaker’s move as a ‘betrayal’ of the trust placed on him by the APC caucus, just as it undermines the party’s dominance in the House of Representatives.
“Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, elected as Speaker of the House in June 2023, had promised a more inclusive and bipartisan approach to governance. However, the recent appointments of over 600 SLAs, many of whom are allegedly members of the PDP, have triggered a backlash from within his own party.
“For Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, this situation represents a delicate balancing act. On one hand, he must maintain party loyalty and keep the APC caucus united, while on the other hand, he seeks to foster a collaborative legislative environment. The long-term implications of these appointments remain to be seen, but political observers are keeping a close eye on how this will affect both the Speaker’s standing within the APC and the overall dynamics in the House of Representatives.
“The APC worked hard to win the majority in the House, and now we are witnessing a scenario where members of the opposition are being given positions that should be reserved for loyal party members. This is not only unacceptable but also a clear sign of misplaced priorities,” Dan wanki declared.
However, the Speaker Abbas’ camp has defended the appointments, arguing that they were based on merit and the need to promote cooperation across party lines in the National Assembly, saying that “In order for us to effectively govern, we need a House that works in unison, regardless of party affiliations. Our legislative duties transcend party lines, and we must ensure the best hands are in place to support the critical work we are doing for the Nigerian people.”
