In anticipation of the forthcoming inauguration of the 10th National Assembly on June 13, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has leveled accusations against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP alleges that the APC is orchestrating a plan to intimidate and arrest lawmakers-elect who are perceived as advocates for a truly independent legislature. This alleged scheme is believed to be an effort by the APC to influence the selection of the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

This accusation comes shortly after the PDP expressed confidence in leveraging the number of opposition party lawmakers to exert influence over the leadership positions in both houses of the National Assembly. The PDP had recently made public its intention to assert its authority through the elected representatives from various opposition parties.

During a press briefing at the party’s national secretariat, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, revealed that the party is aware of the ruling party’s increasing anxiety ever since the PDP’s stance on the leadership of the federal parliament became known last week. The PDP believes that the APC’s nervousness has led them to employ tactics aimed at thwarting the PDP’s influence over the selection process.

These allegations from the PDP shed light on the ongoing power struggle and political maneuvering surrounding the appointment of key positions in the National Assembly. As the political landscape intensifies, it remains to be seen how these allegations will impact the upcoming inauguration and the formation of the 10th National Assembly.

He said, “Information at our disposal which are verifiable and some of which we got from your report, is that there are attempts by some APC elements to intimIdate, harass and threaten lawmakers-elect with a view to influencing the outcome of the election on Tuesday on the floor of both houses as to who emerges the Speaker and the President of the Senate. 

“There are reports of harassment to arrest those people who are considered to be strong proponents of the Independence of the legislature and who are at the forefront of the need to respect those standing rules that provide that members-elect should elect their own leadership without any external influence.

“We have these reported actions and plots to arrest such individuals. We as a party that believes in democracy, and that had the privilege of midwifing this our democracy for 16 years recognises the fact that the legislature is an ingredient that is very important and key to the sustenance of democracy. So, we need to raise an alarm to bring to the fore where the situation is at the moment,” Ologunagba said.

According to the publicity scribe, “The legislature remains the symbol of democracy in a constitutional democracy in the sense that it is regarded as the people’s house where people are elected from all the constituencies in the country as a component of the country to speak for their people. 

“We need to emphasize the need for members-elect to remain steadfast and ensure that they abide by law as per the standing rules of both houses and elect from among themselves their own leadership without undue influence.

“We know that the independence of the legislature is a prerequisite for a virile democracy and therefore, our party insists that members-elect in both Houses must be allowed to elect their own leadership.

“It is important to say the National Assembly is the symbol of the sovereignty of the people in a participatory democracy. How do we express that? It is by electing people to represent you at the parliament in both houses and through them you can speak. Whatever decision they are taking is on behalf of the people. The sovereignty resides in the National Assembly.

“Fundamental to this sovereignty is the choice of the presiding officers because that is how you establish that sovereignty,” he said.

Furthermore, Ologunagba urged lawmakers to bear in mind that the Nigerian populace anticipates their commitment to upholding the sanctity of the parliamentary institution and being accountable to the aspirations of the people.