As Nigeria celebrates her 64th Independence Anniversary today, the senator representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Comrade Abba Patrick Moro PhD has commended Nigerians for their resilience, patience and patriotism that have kept the country One despite the myriads of challenges confronting her, describing it as a ‘significant achievement’.
Senator Moro, in his independence message said Nigeria remained a very beautiful country, with great prospects, but only slowed down by lack of quality leadership that can effectively address the needs and yearnings of the people. He lamented the rising security challenge, cost of living and all the ills that continue to clog the wheel of national development and making lives difficult for Nigerians.
He said insecurity must be curbed so that the country does not gravitate towards precipice. He challenged security agencies to take the necessary steps and end the problem.
On the country’s electoral process, Senator Moro said INEC must redeem its image and integrity by conducting free, fair and credible elections. He expressed dissatisfaction with the recent Edo election where votes were openly suppressed and results that didn’t reflect what happened at the polling units were announced. He said if INEC allowed Nigerians to lose interest in elections, then there would be problem.
On the proposed nationwide protest on October 1, Senator Moro said protest was a constitutional rights of the people. He said he had no problem with protests but charged security agents to be at alert to ensure that hoodlums don’t hijack the exercise to unleash mayhem on innocent people and their properties. He said those who genuinely want to participate in the protest should be allowed to do so and those who do not want to participate should be allowed to go about their normal businesses without let or hindrances.
On the ongoing constitutional review by the National Assembly, Senator Moro expressed optimism that quite a number of the proposals submitted would scale through. He said lawmakers were in unanimity about local government autonomy. He hinted that there might be opposition to the amendment bill, especially from governors, but said everything possible would be done to ensure it scales through.
On State Police, the Senate Minority Leader said the idea was a good one but expressed concern about its sustainability. He questioned how states that are struggling with salary payment at the moment would be able to accommodate additional responsibility of paying police. He also expressed fear that state governors could hijack state police and use it against opponents. He said he tilted towards the suggestion from some quarters that the federal police should be decentralized to give state governments some form of authority over it instead of creating state police.
On the local government election coming up in Benue State, the Senate Minority Leader said his party, the PDP, was prepared to participate in the election. He said there were rumors that the state government has concluded plans to rig the election in favor of the ruling APC but said his party would reject and challenge the exercise in court if the rumour turns out to be true on Saturday.
On the current crisis in Benue PDP, the senator said it was unfortunate but assured that the party would come out stronger and better. He stated that PDP has rules and guidelines guiding its activities and enjoined party faithful to submit themselves to those rules and regulations as anything done outside that are null and void.
The Senate Minority Leader urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, stating that Nigeria will surely overcome all her current challenges and be a country that gives hope and happiness to her citizens.
Emmanuel Eche’Ofun John,
Media Adviser to the Senate Minority Leader
